As we dey close LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, we get one classic Spanish football duel between two teams wey never lose category. Both teams get coaches wey no go continue next season.
Real Madrid fit only take second position for league, so dem go focus on saying goodbye to coach Álvaro Arbeloa before José Mourinho return, and to captain Dani Carvajal wey dey leave. Dem also want give fans sweet taste for tough season wey dem no win any major title.
For Athletic side, dem still dey fight for better position wey go bring more money and make fans happy. Dis season don disappoint many fans because sometimes the Lions look like dem dey try not to go Europe for easy year.
Dis match go be last for Iñigo Lekue wey no fit say goodbye for San Mamés, and for Ernesto Valverde wey go coach im 504th game, the most for any Athletic coach. We no know if Yuri Berchiche go play im last game because im no talk about future.
Real Madrid win Sevilla 1-0 for penultimate match and want finish season with victory for Santiago Bernabéu against Athletic. Arbeloa no go get Éder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy wey dey injured. Arda Güler dey doubtful and no expect am to play. Vinicius Junior no dey because im get permission to rest and prepare for 2026 World Cup with Brazil.
Tchouaméni and Huijsen get muscle problems but dem go fit play though dem go start for bench. Federico Valverde return to starting lineup.
For Athletic, Ernesto Valverde no get Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, and Alex Berenguer because of injuries. Yuri Berchiche dey suspended. Unai Egiluz tear im ACL again for right knee, but Daniel Vivian fit play. Valverde go use Alex Padilla for goal instead of Unai Simón.
Despite finishing second, Real Madrid show focus and win last two matches against Sevilla and Real Oviedo. But even that no save Arbeloa job. José Mourinho expected to be announced as new coach soon.
For Bernabéu, Real Madrid dey strong: dem win 15, draw 1, lose 2 for last 18 home games. Against Athletic for La Liga, dem win 10, draw 1, lose 1 for last 12 matches. For over 20 years, Real Madrid no lose at home to Athletic: win 17, draw 3 for last 20.
Athletic dey struggle: dem dey 12th position. Dem no fit go Europe. For last 11 matches, dem win only 3 and lose 7. For last 6 away games, dem lose 5.
Dis match go be nostalgic for Chamartín: Dani Carvajal go play im last game as captain before leaving. Arbeloa go leave bench for Mourinho return. For Athletic, Alex Padilla go get im first La Liga minutes for last match after only playing Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid go line up: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Fran García; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Brahim Díaz; Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé. Athletic go line up: Unai Simón; Andoni Gorosabel, Aymeric Laporte, Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche; Alejandro Rego, Robert Navarro, Mikel Jauregizar, Oihan Sancet, Álex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta.
Real Madrid get strong record against Athletic: apart from one defeat for December 2024, dem no lose since 2015.
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