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Real Madrid look to escape their crisis with a crucial visit to San Mamés against an in-form Athletic Club

Real Madrid arrive at San Mamés in the midst of a serious crisis, with three consecutive LaLiga draws, the loss of the top spot, and an alarming dip in form away from the Santiago Bernabéu. Xabi Alonso’s team now expose all their weaknesses against an Athletic Club side that has started to react and comes in with confidence after defeating Levante in Valencia.

Athletic Club: relief, big absences, and a brutal schedule

The win at the Ciutat de Valencia (0–2) brought much-needed relief to Athletic in a season full of ups and downs. But a demanding week awaits Ernesto Valverde’s squad: they host Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and PSG consecutively at La Catedral, after three tough road games that included a heavy 4–0 defeat at Camp Nou.

The “Lions” showed clear improvement in the Champions League match against Slavia Prague (0–0), where they were superior, and they confirmed that form against Levante.

However, injuries are piling up:

• Robert Navarro went down in the last match.
• Oihan Sancet is suspended.
• Iñaki Williams and Maroan Sannadi remain sidelined.
• Long-term absences continue for Yeray, Beñat Prados, and Unai Egiluz.

The good news is the return of Aymeric Laporte and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, two key players in Athletic’s build-up play. Both are expected to start alongside Dani Vivian, Mikel Jauregizar, or Aitor Paredes.

The full-back situation depends on Yuri Berchiche’s fitness, while Íñigo Lekue is set to keep his place after a strong performance against Levante. If Yuri is unavailable, Lekue could switch to the left with Andoni Gorosabel returning at right-back.

In attack, given the absences, everything points to:

• Alex Berenguer
• Nico Williams (questionable due to ongoing pubalgia)
• Gorka Guruzeta as the central striker
• Unai Gómez as attacking midfielder

Real Madrid: maximum urgency as Xabi Alonso comes under pressure

Real Madrid are living their worst moment since Xabi Alonso took over. The team’s long stint away from the Bernabéu due to the NFL event has coincided with a worrying drop in performance: just 3 points from the last 9 in LaLiga and only one win in their last five games across all competitions.

Draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona, rivals far from Madrid’s ambitions, have triggered alarms. San Mamés now becomes a high-pressure test for a Madrid side that must react immediately—especially with a decisive clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City approaching.

Xabi Alonso under scrutiny: major decisions ahead

Criticism has centered on squad management, and the coach may introduce significant changes:

• Returning to a five-man defense with three center-backs.
• Using Fede Valverde at right-back due to Dani Carvajal’s absence and Trent’s poor form.
• Adjusting a midfield that is failing to create danger.

In defense, Madrid get Raúl Asencio back after a stomach virus, but remain without David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, and Dean Huijsen. Militao and Rüdiger are expected to pair up again, with Carreras returning at left-back.

In midfield, Camavinga and Ceballos compete for a spot, while Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham continue to face scrutiny for inconsistent performances.