Who: Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao
What: Spain’s La Liga
Where: The San Mames Stadium, Bilbao, Spain
When: Wednesday at 7pm (18:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 15:00 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream.
After a string of draws, Real Madrid are attempting to reclaim control of the La Liga title with a victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
At lowly Girona on Sunday, Madrid were forced to hold on for a third consecutive La Liga draw before coming back from a goal down.
With goals from Robert Navarro and Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao, who are eighth in the division, have 20 points from their first 14 games, won 2-0 at Levante on Saturday.
Real Madrid manager Alonso is under increased pressure.
Real coach Xabi Alonso is under increased pressure because of recent rumors that his future may be uncertain in the Madrid dugout as a result of their draw with Girona.
After the game, Alonso told reporters, “We are up there, it’s all very even, it’s a long season and we have to continue.”
“I liked how the players responded. We had to work together, be self-critical enough, and be ready to win away from home, but it was not enough to turn things around.
Due to the club’s participation in the Spanish Super Cup in January, Madrid will travel to Bilbao on Wednesday for its fourth straight home game.
Alonso continued, “The table will be difficult-fought and there will be a lot of movement.”
We must alter this dynamic, it says.
Before Morocco international Azzedine Ounahi fired a stunning header home from just inside the area on Sunday, Madrid’s superstar striker Kylian Mbappe was forced to play a goal for handball moments before the infamous handball ruled out for the striker.
Before Los Blancos fought back, Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved a stunning save to divert Vladyslav Vanat’s cross goal.
Vinicius Jr was clumsily felled in the box by Hugo Rincon after being denied an offside goal.
Mbappe scored his 14th La Liga goal of the season by smashing the resultant penalty past Paulo Gazzaniga’s diving effort.
The league is still ongoing and will continue for a very long, Mbappe wrote on social media. “Absolutely not the result we wanted. We must alter this dynamic and demonstrate our collective strength.
With their victory over Levante, Bilbao’s morale rises.
After a number of depressing defeats in recent weeks, manager Ernesto Valverde acknowledged that Athletic’s victory over Levante gave his team much-needed moral support.
Following the game, Valverde stated, “This match was very important for us in many ways, both morale wise and most importantly, to gain our confidence after some less than positive results.”
However, Valverde cautioned against “taking each game as it comes and fight for the win” and stated that “we have a difficult and very exciting week ahead of us with tough opponents coming to San Mames.”
In response to transfer rumors, Williams says, “Club and City mean everything to me.”
After being once more linked with a move to Barcelona despite having his contract extension until 2035, the Athletic winger revealed his deep devotion to his boyhood club and Bilbao.
I’ve developed as a person and as a player because of Athletic and Bilbao, Nico Williams said.
“Representing this club and this city has taught me the value of family, humility, and hard work. As the motto states, “Athletic is unique in the world.”
He continued, “I have my family and loved ones with whom I make every decision here in Bilbao.” It’s a dream come true to compete in the Champions League alongside my brother.
Head-to-head
Real Madrid won 124 of the 248 games that were played between the two clubs, Athletic Club won 79, and 45 of those games ended in draws.
Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta scored for Athletic in their most recent home game, 2-1, winning the previous meeting 2-1.
Since Los Blancos have typically been the dominant team in recent matches, Athletic won Athletic’s first La Liga game 1-0 over Real Madrid.
Bilbao Athletic team news
Oihan Sancet is still suspended, but midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta’s return from suspension will boost the team.
Inaki Williams is still a major doubt after missing Athletic’s last seven games with a groin issue, and Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, Maroan Sannadi, and Robert Navarro have all been suspended with injuries.
Aymeric Laporte’s illness prevented him from playing for Levante, but he is expected to start against Madrid.
Starting XI, according to Athletic Bilbao
Gomez, Gomez, Gorosabel, Laporte, Vivian, Berchiche, Jauregizar, Berenguer, Sanchez, Nico Williams, Gorosabel,
Team news for Real Madrid
At the moment, Madrid’s injuries are centered on the defense.
Due to the recovery of his own muscular injury, centre-back Dean Huijsen is a significant doubt after missing his last two games due to a muscular issue, and he is also unlikely to play.
After having a knee problem removed, Dani Carvajal will be sidelined until 2026.
However, center-back Raul Asencio is expected to recover in time for the Bilbao game despite missing the game against Girona due to illness.
Real Madrid’s starting XI is anticipated
Source: Aljazeera
Leave a Reply