Madride, Spain — Real Madrid will face a serious challenge when dey host Athletic Bilbao on April 20, 2025, in dem La Liga match wey get major implications for dia title hopes. Dem dey seven points behind Barcelona, and without top striker Kylian Mbappé, who go miss the match due to suspension, dem must deliver better performance if dem wan keep dia title dreams alive.
Mbappé, Real’s leading scorer, receive a one-game ban for a dangerous tackle on Alavés’ Antonio Blanco last weekend. This suspension come as a surprise, especially as many don observe the tackle was a bit harsh. Carlo Ancelotti, di club manager, sabi say Naija wey few guys fit step up and make up for Mbappé’s absence.
“We must adapt, we must work harder without Mbappé. We get talented players wey fit shine,” Ancelotti talk to di press. Without Mbappé’s 32 goals so far this season, di pressure go land on Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo to lead di attack. Vinícius just reached 50 goal contributions in di Champions League and need to carry dat form into di league.
Athletic Bilbao don provide tough competition since dis season. Dem don beat Los Blancos earlier in di campaign, and dey need dis win to further secure dia Europa League qualification position. Di team under Ernesto Valverde don dey consistent, but dem go face a Madrid team wey desperate to bounce back after their exit from di Champions League in di quarterfinals, when dem lose to Arsenal.
Real Madrid needs all di points dem fit gather in di remaining matches of dis season. To have any hopes of catching Barcelona, dem need to clear dis first hurdle. Di next game go test di squad depth and tactical flexibility of Ancelotti’s men, especially in di face of injuries and suspensions.
In last couple of matches, Real Madrid don struggle to find dat killer instinct, in dem last game against Alavés, di team could manage only a single goal win. With variable performance levels, di pressure is mounting. “Winnin di rest of dis matches is di only option if we wan retain our title,” said defender Antonio Rüdiger, who is set to make his 150th appearance for di club dis weekend.
Bilbao dey come for a fight, but if Madrid can find dia rhythm and creativity without Mbappé, maybe, just maybe, dem fit walk away with di all-important three points. Fans and analysts go watch closely as di action unfold at di Santiago Bernabéu.”
