Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: Match preview | OneFootball

Matches are coming thick and fast as Real Madrid now travel to San Mames for a tricky fixture against the 4th placed side in La Liga, Athletic Club.

After a positive performance against Getafe, the Merengues are boosted by the return of Aurelien Tchouaméni in the midfield. It will be interesting to see whether Carlo Ancelotti starts the Frenchman and in that case, where he plays.

The Italian manager was full of praise for rising youngster Raul Asencio for the maturity and determination he has showed since getting opportunities in the first team.

It seems like even after the return of Eder Militao and David Alaba in the near future, the Spaniard will keep his place in the squad as it seems that he is now a permanent part of the first team.

Fran García has been quite a revelation this season and has stepped in light of Ferland Mendy’s poor performances. But Ancelotti knows that choosing between them is a technical decision and he has faith in both the left-backs.

The stacked midfield, on the other hand, is getting a major boost considering Dani Ceballos’ recent outings and now Ancelotti will rely on the Spaniard more and more in the upcoming matches.

Jude Bellingham has shown this season that he offers more than just goals, being an integral part of the midfield. What’s even more astounding is that at the young age of 21, the Englishman seems to be a sure-shot starter at perhaps the biggest club in Europe.

Moreover, Kylian Mbappe is another player who has been a sure shot starter but has not had the “perfect” game so far. Like, the match against Getafe, he could have had a hattrick but did not take his opportunities. It does not seem like he lacks confidence, it is just the mental barrier he has created in his head.

The sooner or later he overcomes that barrier, the world will see the Kylian Mbappe we all know and the wrath he can cause upon teams.

Real Madrid’s opponents for tonight, Atheltic Bilbao have enjoyed a good start to the season, currently sitting at 4th with 7 wins and 5 draws in 15 matches.

They might be far off from table toppers FC Barcelona, but finishing in the top 6 at least seems like a certainty for them.

Ernesto Valverde’s side possesses a competent frontline, who can over run any defence in the world – arguably. Inaki Williams on the right and Nico Williams on the left will surely have both Real Madrid full backs on their toes for the entire duration of the match, because these brothers have been enjoying a purple patch, in particular Inaki.

Their leading goal scorer has been attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet with 7 goals, and forms a lethal trio alongside the Williams brothers, and possess the ability to topple any side.

Other notable performers have been Alex Berenguer and right-back Oscar De Marcos, with both players assisting 4 times in La Liga.

This game by no means is expected to be an easy outing for Los Blancos but is sure to be an exciting clash between the top 4 sides as Bilbao look to climb the table further and Madrid eager to put the pressure on FC Barcelona.