LaLiga

Will Aurélien Tchouaméni play for Real Madrid vs Athletic Club in LaLiga?

Tchouaméni hasn’t played for Real Madrid since the start of November, but has come back into selection contention.

DeFodi ImagesDeFodi Images via Getty Images

Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is set to return to action tomorrow, as Los Blancos visit Athletic Club in the first of five straight games on the road for the Spanish and European champions.

Where will Tchouaméni play for Madrid?

Tchouaméni has missed Madrid’s last four matches with an ankle injury, but rejoined training on Monday and is in the club’s squad for the LaLiga trip to Bilbao. “He’s looking really good‚” Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters today. “He’s trained well and recovered well. He’s fit to play from the off.”

It remains unclear whether Tchouaméni will go straight back into Madrid’s line-up at San Mamés, and in what position Ancelotti plans to use him.

After center-back Éder Militão suffered a torn ACL early last month, Tchouaméni had initially been expected to play as a makeshift defender on his return from injury. However, youth product Raúl Asencio has performed well in central defense in recent weeks - and with Eduardo Camavinga now in Madrid’s sick bay, Tchouaméni may be more urgently required in midfield.

“Aurélien has shown how useful he can be defensively, both as a center-back and as a holding midfielder,” Ancelotti said today. “He’s a very important player for us, because he also gives us height on set pieces. That’s an important part of the game and we’ve struggled with it.”

Until he damaged his ankle in Madrid’s Champions League defeat to AC Milan, Tchouaméni had been virtually ever-present this term. The 24-year-old had only sat out one game - September’s LaLiga win at Real Sociedad, which he missed with a foot problem. Of the 15 appearances he has made this season, 14 have been as a starter.

Who is injured for Real Madrid?

While Tchouaméni has returned to fitness, Madrid head to the Basque Country with an injury list that features not only Militão and Camavinga (hamstring), but also Vinícius Júnior (hamstring), David Alaba (ACL) and Dani Carvajal (ACL).

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

Athletic Club and Real Madrid meet tomorrow, Wednesday December 4, on matchday 19 of the 2024/25 LaLiga season. Kick-off at San Mamés is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US can watch the game on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes. You can also stream the action live on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.

Could Real Madrid top LaLiga this week?

Madrid could go to Bilbao with the opportunity to leapfrog leaders Barcelona at the top of LaLiga. Los Blancos head into the midweek round of league games sitting one point behind their arch rivals, who are winless in their last three top-flight matches and take on Real Mallorca today.

After facing Athletic, Madrid visit Girona in LaLiga on December 7, before an away Champions League clash against Atalanta three days later. Los Merengues then go to Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on December 14, and complete their December travels by jetting to Qatar to play the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final on the 18th. Madrid’s next home game is a LaLiga match-up with Sevilla on December 22.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

Most viewed

More news