Real Madrid - Athletic pre-match news: squads, confirmed teams...
Real Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao in week 18 of the LaLiga season at the Bernabéu on Sunday night, with kick-off at 21:00 CET.
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Brahim back in Real Madrid squad
Brahim Díaz has been included in Real Madrid's squad for just the fourth time this season, but James Rodríguez has not returned to the matchday group despite overcoming a knee injury and rejoining full training this week.
📋✅ Our 19-man squad for the match against @Athletic_en! #RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/5dHhMJMtij
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 21, 2019
Álvaro Odriozola and Mariano Díaz have both been left out by Zidane, while Casemiro (suspended), Marcelo (calf strain), Lucas Vázquez (broken toe), Eden Hazard (ankle fracture) and Marco Asensio (torn ACL) are all unavailable to the Madrid boss.
SQUAD LIST I Gaizka Garitano calls 1⃣9⃣ players for the @LaLigaEN match 🆚 @realmadriden tomorrow (Sunday, 9.00 p.m.) 💪
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) December 21, 2019
#RealMadridAthletic #AthleticClub 🔴⚪🦁 pic.twitter.com/IuYKic7lQa
For visitors Athletic Bilbao, Óscar de Marcos (ankle), Aritz Aduriz (hip) and Iker Muniain (hamstring) are all out injured, while head coach Gaizka Garitano is also without the suspended Ander Capa.
See also:
Zidane takes his place on the Real Madrid podium
Benzema faces victims-in-chief Athletic on pace for best goal haul
Modric magic back for Athletic
Lunchtime meet-up for Real squad
💪🚌🏡 Preparation and rest for tonight's match at #RMCity before heading to the Bernabéu!@PalladiumHG | #MVPalladium pic.twitter.com/QrynvnUEf0
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 22, 2019
Zidane's players met up at 12:30 CET to make their way to their Valdebebas training ground for their final preparations for the week-18 LaLiga clash, which kicks off at 21:00 CET. Meanwhile, Athletic travelled down from Bilbao at lunchtime and will stay at the Hotel Eurostars Suites Mirasierra in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: confirmed line-ups
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Ramos, Mendy, Modric, Kroos, Valverde, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Benzema
Athletic Bilbao: Simón, Yeray, Núñez, I. Martínez, Yuri, D. García, Vesga, Lekur, Williams, R. García, Kodro
Cordero Vega the man in the middle
Adrián Cordero Vega will be the match referee at the Bernabéu, with Antonio Mateu Lahoz appointed as video assistant referee. Cordero Vega has taken charge of Madrid and Athletic once each in LaLiga this season, overseeing Los Blancos' 4-0 win at Eibar in November and Los Leones' 2-0 victory over Granada at the start of December.
Real dominance over Athletic
Real Madrid not only face Athletic on a run of just one defeat in the sides' last 19 meetings, stretching back to 2010, but have also not lost at home to the Basques in nearly 15 years. Asier del Horno and Andoni Iraola got the goals as a side coached by Ernesto Valverde - in his first spell as Athletic boss - came away from the Bernabéu with a 2-0 win in February 2005.
How and where to watch Real Madrid vs Athletic Club
You'll find all the information you need on how and where to watch the Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao match right here.