Real Madrid return to La Liga after being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal during their midweek fixture. Carlo Ancelotti’s men host Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 32 of the Spanish top division as they bid to secure three vital points in the league.
The two sides met earlier in the campaign at the San Mames in a game which saw Ernesto Valverde’s side clinch a 2-1 win. Jude Bellingham’s goal was not enough for the Whites as a missed penalty by Kylian Mbappe saw Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta decide the match in favour of Athletic Club.
This time out, the Merengues will look to seal all points and remain in the title race, but they would have to do so without the suspended Mbappe. The Frenchman was sent off in the Deportivo Alaves match last weekend due to a nasty challenge on Antonio Blanco.
Apart from the 26-year-old, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy are also set to miss out owing to fitness concerns. Andriy Lunin could be back to the fore having recovered from his injury, however, while Ancelotti will also return to the touchline after a ban in the last league match.
Athletic Bilbao are in contention to play in the Champions League next season, so they will also be determined to pull off a league double over Real Madrid. They are unbeaten in five straight matches and have won each of their previous couple of games in all competitions.
Valverde will have to orchestrate a win in Madrid without one of his key men, Yuri Berchiche, though the rest of his squad is fully fit and available. Oihan Sancet is Athletic Bilbao’s top scorer this season with 15 goals and an assist to his name, and will undoubtedly look to be their danger man once more.
An exciting fixture awaits Real Madrid, whose games against Bilbao over the last few seasons have produced enough excitement. Ancelotti will be battling tremendous pressure once again ahead of another crucial week in which his side plays Getafe and then the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.
