Liga Preview: Athletic Bilbao-Real Madrid

In the space of two weeks, Real Madrid have lost star striker Ronaldo to injury for a month, seen their lead in the title race halved, and lost the King's Cup final to Zaragoza and with it the chance to win the treble.

As Ceasar – Julius rather than the Real Madrid reserve goalkeeper – found to his cost, the Ides of March are dangerous times. The only high point has been continued progress in Europe, but the solid consistency the Spanish champions seemed to find in February seems to have deserted them and allowed Valencia another glimpse at the prize.

On Saturday evening, Real visit the Basque country to face Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames, the "Cathedral," in one of the most ancient of Liga fixtures. Just last week, this game would have been a serious high-risk flashpoint after the carnage in the Spanish capital and the subsequent accusations thrown rather expediently by the erstwhile Spanish government at Basque separatists. Emotions will still be high, however, as they always are in this fixture, one of Madrid's least favourite games of the season.

The fact that they have a terrible record at San Mames will weigh heavily, but not as burdensome as the nagging worry that Valencia may yet overtake them by the finish line. The critical point of this season's title race is yet to be determined. Perhaps it will prove to be the last minute Bernabeu penalty in the summit meeting of the top two that robbed the Ches of deserved victory. However, it may yet prove to be the moment that Real Madrid threw away the cushion of an eight point lead and lost Ronaldo in the process of preparing for the visit of Bayern Munich.

Saturday night could well provide another candidate. Defeat to Zaragoza after extra-time on Wednesday night was just the latest example of the fragility of the Galacticos. Part of the fascination with this Madrid side lies not in the brilliance of their creativity, but with the flawed nature of their thinking. Defenders, apparently, are not Galacticos, and no, Roberto Carlos is not a defender.

Carlos Queiroz knows anything less than the successful capture of the remaining double that survives on the agenda for the season will jeopardise his position.

Bilbao lie a satisfactory fifth in the table and are strongly positioned to clinch the UEFA Cup place denied to them by Saturday's opponents on the last day of last season when Madrid took the title. The fact that they persist with the somewhat xenophobic non-Basque transfer ban hinders the progress of one of the league's most important clubs. The contrast with the visitors is startlingly obvious. It is very much home versus away in more ways than one.

RECENT FORM

Still unbeaten in the league since January, Real Madrid have been held to two draws in their most recent games. Raul's form has been worryingly poor, and, in the absence of Ronaldo, goals are proving slightly harder to come by. The midweek cup final reverse was their first domestic defeat since losing to Real Sociedad on their last visit to the Basque country.

Bilbao come into the game having lost at Malaga last weekend and to Valladolid on their previous home outing at San Mames, a 4-1 reverse that has seen their drive for a European place temporarily hit the buffers.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Joseba Etxeberria (Athletic Bilbao): Spanish international Etxeberria is something of an enigma. Incisive, dashing, and tricky, the 25-year-old was linked with summer moves to Barcelona and Bayern Munich before penning a new deal at San Mames that will keep him in the red, white, and black until at least 2007. Often accused of underperforming for the national side, Etxeberria is happiest in the Basque country: "When you feel at home, it does not matter what other offers you receive. I have played for Athletic for eight years, and I want to continue."

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Athletic Bilbao: Aranzubia, Javi González, Lacruz, Luis Prieto, Del Horno, Gurpegui, Tiko, Joseba Etxeberria, Yeste, Ezquerro, Urzaiz.

Real Madrid: Iker Casillas, Michel Salgado, Helguera, Bravo, Roberto Carlos, Figo, Guti, Beckham, Solari, Zidane, Raúl.