Real Madrid Gears Up for 2023-24 Season Opener Against Athletic Club: Challenges and Prospects

Real Madrid is set to kick off their 2023-24 season with an evening clash against Athletic Club at San Mames in Bilbao.

The summer months have brought a mix of ups and downs for Los Blancos. Securing their top target, Jude Bellingham, from Borussia Dortmund was a triumph, yet the void left by Karim Benzema’s departure remains unfilled. Furthermore, the team has been grappling with injury setbacks.

Of notable concern is Thibaut Courtois, who sustained an ACL injury, ruling him out for the entire campaign. Adding to this, Arda Guler will be sidelined for the next 5-7 weeks. Consequently, Andriy Lunin is poised to step into the goalkeeping role.

Expectations are high for the debut of Jude Bellingham and Fran Garcia, newly signed from Rayo Vallecano, as Marca predicts their maiden competitive appearance for Real Madrid in Bilbao. Bellingham is anticipated to join forces with Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Toni Kroos in midfield, while Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are slated to lead the attack.

Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic squad aims to start the season with a bang, even though their defensive concerns are apparent. The departure of Inigo Martinez to Barcelona and the absence of Yeray and Yuri Berchiche, the latter suffering a broken leg against Real Madrid last season, have left gaps in the backline.

The upcoming match at San Mames holds the promise of excitement, with the venue historically posing a challenge for visiting teams. Athletic Club’s objective is to contain Real Madrid’s offensive prowess, a feat that presents a significant test.