Madrid, Spain — On Sunday at 9 PM local time, Real Madrid go head to head with Athletic Club for a crucial La Liga encounter at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu. The defending champions are in dire need of a victory to close the seven-point gap between them and league leaders Barcelona.
Madrid’s recent Champions League exit against Arsenal has added pressure on the team. Coach Carlo Ancelotti‘s future at the club remains uncertain, as speculations link him with Brazil’s national team after they let go of their previous coach. Despite repeated inquiries from reporters about his potential departure, Ancelotti has remained tight-lipped about his plans, stating, “At the end of the season, we will speak about this with the club.”
The veteran coach’s contract extends until June 2026, but the mounting pressure of lost titles could shake things up. Real Madrid still has the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup in sight, but the La Liga title is crucial. They are currently in second place, with 66 points, having played 31 matches.
Athletic Club sits fourth with 57 points, on an impressive run with 15 wins from 31 games, having lost only four times this season. This performance has earned them a spot in the Europa League semi-finals as well, making them formidable opponents for the match on Sunday.
Key players will be missing on both sides. Kylian Mbappé will be out due to a one-match suspension after receiving a red card against Alaves. This gives Rodrygo a chance to shine, having scored six goals this season. In contrast, Athletic Club have to deal with the absence of their star striker, Nico Williams, who is recovering from an adductor injury.
On the injury report for Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga returns from a suspension, while Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin are likely to be fit. However, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are confirmed to miss the match due to knee issues.
“We are determined to keep our title hopes alive and will do everything to secure three points,” expressed one of the Madrid players during practice sessions leading up to the match.
The last time these two teams faced each other in December, Athletic Club narrowly secured a 2-1 win, raising the stakes for Real Madrid to reclaim dominance as they clash on Sunday.
With both teams motivated for a win, fans can expect a thrilling contest at the Bernabéu. The match will kick off at 9 PM local time and promises to be a pivotal encounter in this season’s La Liga title race.
