Real Madrid look to end their “draw syndrome” on their visit to Bilbao
Los Blancos face Athletic at San Mamés with the goal of putting an end to three straight league draws.
Real Madrid travel to San Mamés on Wednesday to face Athletic Club in Matchday 19 of La Liga, a round brought forward due to the Spanish Super Cup — which will be played from January 7 to 11, 2026, and will feature Madrid, Athletic, Barça and Atlético. Xabi Alonso’s side arrive after three consecutive draws in the league, and with Barcelona leading the standings, Madrid can no longer afford mistakes.
It is true that the team saw a bit of light at the end of the tunnel with last week’s Champions League win over Olympiacos (3–4), with an outstanding Kylian Mbappé. Still, the team left defensive doubts in Athens and, to make matters worse, they were unable to get more than a draw against Girona (1–1), in yet another match marked by controversial refereeing. Madrid have won seven of their last 12 visits to Bilbao, but last season suffered a costly stumble (2–1), in which the French star missed a penalty.
The team needs the best version of Mbappé, who ended his league goal drought by scoring in Montilivi and netting his 23rd goal of the season — more than half of Madrid’s total of 41. Not to forget the support role played by Vinícius Júnior and his excellent chemistry with Arda Güler. Both are expected to start tonight at a roaring San Mamés in what promises to be a great match between two clubs that have never been relegated to the Spanish second division.
Athletic come into the game boosted by recent results in a season where Champions League demands have taken a toll. Ernesto Valverde’s side sit eighth in the league table with 20 points, having taken six of the last nine available. However, they arrive with the injury of Robert Navarro, scorer of one of the goals in last Saturday’s win against Levante (0–2). The Catalan midfielder suffered a sprain to the lateral ligament of his right ankle and had to be substituted around the hour mark in Valencia.
No Mendy, Huijsen or Alaba
Real Madrid travel to Bilbao with more defensive problems. Ferland Mendy is out again after suffering a hamstring injury in his right leg, just after returning to the starting XI in Piraeus more than six months later. Dean Huijsen and David Alaba are also still recovering from physical issues and have not made the squad. Raúl Asencio and Franco Mastantuono, however, are included.
“It’s a classic fixture in La Liga and Spanish football. There’s always a fantastic atmosphere at San Mamés. It’s a stadium where you have to play with a lot of energy and concentration, keeping past experiences in mind and knowing how to approach it,” Xabi Alonso said in his pre-match press conference at Valdebebas before the team travelled to Bilbao on Tuesday evening. The coach is beginning to face criticism, but he doesn’t seem concerned. “We need to focus on what we can control: working, improving and winning matches so that when April–May arrives, we are where we want to be, competing for everything,” he concluded.
