Liga Preview: Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid were responsible for a very strange occurrence on Tuesday in Zaragoza. They drew 0-0.
Real Madrid were responsible for a very strange occurrence on Tuesday in Zaragoza. They drew 0-0.
Los Galacticos aren't associated with their goal-less draws but at La Rosaleda that was what they had to settle for against a Zaragoza side inspired by Real reject Gabriel Milito. The Argentine was desperate to prove that the Menengues made a mistake in turning him away in the summer, and he did just that with a commanding display.
Coach Carlos Queiroz felt his side deserved the victory, although after having to play with ten men for the closing stages after the dismissal of young Francisco Pavon, he may have been secretly relieved to get the point that actually moved them closer to Deportivo after the Galicians' surprise defeat the next day.
Athletic Bilbao's season looks like following very much in the same vein as the previous one. Excellent at home, but all too prone to defeats on the road. Last weekend they offered very little in an attacking sense in the deserved 2-0 defeat to Valladolid, but against Malaga at San Mames on Wednesday they triumphed 2-1 thanks to goals from Ismael Urzaiz and Tiko.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid: Queiroz practically has his whole squad available with the exception of the suspended Pavon. Beckham and Helguera are both fit once again. Becks is expected to partner Guti in midfield, with Helguera slotting in alongside Raul Bravo in central defence.
Athletic Bilbao: Luis Prieto, Javi González and Endika Bordas enter the squad. Arriaga, Felipe, Yeste and Murillo are out injured, while Larrazabal is not included in the squad. The team may well be the same one as that that beat Malaga on Wednesday.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid: Casillas, Michel Salgado, Helguera, Raúl Bravo, Roberto Carlos, Beckham, Guti, Figo, Raúl, Zidane, Ronaldo.
Athletic Bilbao: Aranzubia, César, Lacruz, Karanka, Del Horno, Orbaiz, Iraola, Ezquerro, Tiko, Joseba Etxeberria, Urzaiz.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ronaldo (Real Madrid): the Brazilian has this week complained about the number of times he has been substituted this season. How will he react if he is taken off again?
Ismael Urzaiz (Athletic Bilbao): the Real Madrid defence is known to have a soft centre. Can Urzaiz exploit?