Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
The Santiago Bernabéu will host the final game of Matchday 34 on Sunday, and depending on several factors, Real Madrid could win the league title and celebrate in front of their home fans. Should Barcelona and Villarreal fail to win their respective matches, all the Whites need is a victory over Athletic Bilbao.The Real Madrid squad knows it depends only on itself to win the club’s 31st league title, and although it wants to accomplish the feat sooner rather than later, there’s no sense of pressure or urgency. That said, the players haven’t hidden the fact that want the trophy in their hands as soon as possible, preferably at home in the Santiago Bernabéu.
Of the 22 men available to choose from, Bernd Schuster must select just 18 for Sunday’s clash against Athletic. The only confirmed absences are Cannavaro, Van Nistelrooy, and Metzelder. The Italian centre-back must serve his one-match suspension against the Lions, while Metzelder is still unavailable to play due to injury.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has started training again more than one month after having arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle, but in order to avoid relapsing, the Dutchman will not suit up against Athletic Bilbao. He may, however, be fit for action and ready to go next week against Osasuna.
Athletic currently sit in 10th place with the same number of points as Espanyol and Deportivo, and they still have a chance of qualifying for a spot in European competition next season; with 15 points remaining, the Basque side is just five away from a berth in the UEFA Cup. Joaquín Caparrós is without the services of Gorka Iraizoz, Pablo Orbaiz, Iñaki Muñoz, Fran Yeste, and Aitor Ocio, but he will be able to count on Gurpegui, who makes his return from a two-year suspension.
Leave a Reply