The Real Madrid measures its ambition at a strong San Mamés
The Whites want to continue building confidence and pressuring Barça for the top spot against a resurgent Athletic Club aiming for Champions League qualification.
MADRID, Dec 3. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid visits Athletic Club this Wednesday (21:00 hours) in the match of matchday 19 of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025, brought forward due to the Supercopa de España celebrations. The Whites are looking to close the gap with FC Barcelona at the top while refining their best version, as the Basques look to solidify their Champions League position and aim to defeat the Madrid side in La Liga for the first time in almost a decade.
San Mamés hosts what is considered the Old Classic of Spanish football between Athletic and Real Madrid, a match that could define the paths of both teams before the end of the year. Both teams arrive in positive dynamics suggesting an intense and high-flying clash, marking the 247th confrontation between the Basques and the Madridistas.
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The red-and-white fortress is always tough and complex to conquer, providing a significant domestic test for Real Madrid’s ambition to ascend to the top of the table, currently occupied by FC Barcelona (37), with a four-point cushion following their victory over Mallorca against the Whites (33), even though Madrid has a game in hand. Carlo Ancelotti’s men must at least match the energy that the ‘Lions’ typically display at home to avoid disaster and undermine their hard-earned progress since the Clásico debacle.
Since then, in LaLiga, the reigning domestic champions have recorded three emphatic wins over Osasuna (4-0), Leganés (0-3), and Getafe (2-0), also solidifying their defense, reminiscent of the team that began to lift the league title based on defensive strength. The victory against the ‘blue ones’ also allowed Ancelotti’s men to forget the setback (2-0) at Anfield in the Champions League, a match in which they were significantly inferior and cannot repeat if they wish to maintain a high level.
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The defensive strength owes much to the Asencio-Rüdiger partnership in the center of defense, with notable contributions from the academy graduate, who has made few mistakes and has been pristine in all his actions. Furthermore, Fran García has emerged on the left, adding depth and solid defensive contributions, while Lucas Vázquez has returned to the right flank, allowing Fede Valverde to focus exclusively on central midfield duties.
Against an “intense and organized” Athletic, according to Ancelotti, the Italian coach may opt to start Kylian Mbappé, who has recently found his scoring touch, in place of the injured Vinícius. Mbappé is still searching for his best form alongside Brahim Díaz, due to his enhanced defensive effort and commitment. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Aurélien Tchouameni, now recovered, will fit into a lineup that could see Luka Modric, who was a substitute on Sunday, join Jude Bellingham.
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The Madridistas, who have gone 21 matches unbeaten as visitors in LaLiga, visit a San Mamés where they have secured five consecutive victories and have not lost since March 2015. Nevertheless, the Basques’ reliability at home is daunting, with only one defeat in their last 26 home matches (16W, 9D, and 1L). This match also serves as a major test for the ‘Lions’, as their only three losses have come against Champions League teams.
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This seems to be the Athletic’s objective this season: to qualify for the Champions League; and their recent form supports this. They have garnered three consecutive wins, with two clean sheets against Real Sociedad (1-0) and Elfsborg in the Europa League (3-0), and a comeback led by an excellent Oihan Sancet against Rayo in Vallecas (1-2). The ‘Lynx’ will be available despite ankle complaints, but Ander Herrera will be sidelined.
Thus, the best XI from Ernesto Valverde is anticipated, with Unai Simón returning to LaLiga after a long injury layoff and uncertainty over whether Dani Vivian’s partner will be Yeray Álvarez or Aitor Paredes, as well as whether Gorka Guruzeta or Álvaro Djaló will accompany the Williams brothers up front. The Bilbao ensemble has the opportunity to make a statement, currently sitting third with 26 points, to secure a Champions League position and potentially challenge for the top spots.
TECHNICAL SHEET.–POTENTIAL LINEUPS:
ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Beñat Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta, Sancet; I. Williams, Djaló and N. Williams.
REAL MADRID: Courteous; Lucas Vázquez, Asensio, Rüdiger, Fran Garcia; Tchouameni, Modric, Valverde, Bellingham; Brahim and Mbappé.
REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez (Murcian C.); STADIUM: San Mamés; KICK-OFF: 9pm/DAZN.
