This is Real Madrid’s possible lineup for Wednesday’s LaLiga matchup with Athletic Club

Antonio Rüdiger or Raúl Asencio? That’s the question weighing on head coach Xabi Alonso’s mind ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Bilbao this midweek.

Rüdiger looked good against Girona, showing flashes of his best form, but he’s coming off a long injury layoff. Two straight starts might be too much for the German. The catch? Asencio is just recovering from a nasty bout of gastroenteritis, and his fitness is still under a bit of a cloud. It’s a call that will go right down to the wire. The biggest question mark in the XI.

The rest of the lineup? Pretty much the A-team. Arda Güler looks set to take his place in the midfield despite being subbed early at Montilivi. There is still plenty of faith in the Turk; his credit isn’t spent yet. He’ll partner Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the engine room, with Federico Valverde drifting to the right and Vinícius Júnior holding down the left flank.

Carreras back in his comfort zone

The other change comes at left back: Álvaro Carreras returns. With Ferland Mendy ruled out for the rest of 2025 (torn right hamstring), that debate settles itself. The rest of the supporting cast is clear: Thibaut Courtois, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Éder Militão. And up top, the talisman, the unstoppable force, the flag-bearer: Kyklian Mbappé.

So, the likely Real Madrid XI to face Athletic is: Courtois; Trent, Militão, Rüdiger or Asencio, Carreras; Tchouaméni; Valverde, Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: when, where, how to watch?

In Week 15 of the 2025/26 LaLiga season, Athletic is to host Real Madrid on Wednesday, December 3. Kickoff at San Mamés is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Viewers in the U.S. can watch the action on ESPN Select and ESPN Deportes.

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