The Real Champs
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Scouting the enemy: A guide to Athletic Bilbao

By Sunil Gurubhagwatla

BILBAO, SPAIN - DECEMBER 02: Lika Modric of Real Madrid CF (L) is challenged by Xavier Etxeita of Athletic Club (R) during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid at Estadio de San Mames on December 2, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - DECEMBER 02: Lika Modric of Real Madrid CF (L) is challenged by Xavier Etxeita of Athletic Club (R) during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid at Estadio de San Mames on December 2, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid will welcome Basque- side, Athletic Bilbao, to the Santiago Bernabéu for a mid-week clash in La Liga. Here is everything you need to know about the visitors.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN – APRIL 09: The Athletic club team line up for a photo prior to kick off during the La Liga match between Villarreal and Athletic Club at Estadio de La Ceramica on April 9, 2018 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – APRIL 09: The Athletic club team line up for a photo prior to kick off during the La Liga match between Villarreal and Athletic Club at Estadio de La Ceramica on April 9, 2018 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Last Match: Athletic Bilbao 2 – 3 Deportivo La Coruña

Athletic Bilbao is currently 13th in the league whereas their opponents for today – Real Madrid – is sitting in 3rd place. With just six more games to go, it might seem that La Liga is all but over. However, a win for Real will keep them in hunt for a second place finish.

Similarly, for the Basque side, a win will keep them in the hunt to finish in the top half of the La Liga table.

Going into this game, Bilbao will be slightly worried. They are on a bad run away from home, with just one win in their last five away games. However, manager José Ángel Ziganda’s men are a good defensive outfit, if not the best, having conceded just 38 goals all season.

Athletic Bilbao’s Defense

Based on highlights from their previous game, it seems Athletic Bilbao line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Defensively, they shift themselves into a 4-4-2 with Aduriz and Raul Garcia as the first line of press.

Their main job is to occupy the defensive midfielder and put a break on the build-up play deep in the opponent’s half. The problem for Real Madrid here is that Casemiro has not been himself and has often been vulnerable when pressed.

Behind those two, Bilbao operates in two compact banks of four. These two banks look to cut the horizontal and vertical supply, by putting a lot of pressure on the opponent ball carrier. As a result, the opponents have to get the ball to wings or turn back to start the build up again.

In case the opponent gets the ball to the wings, the Athletic players look to overload the zones and isolate the opponent winger. Therefore, the opposition has to either switch the play or look for long balls behind the Athletic defenders.

Offensively, Athletic prefer to build-up from the back. One of the deep lying midfielders drops deep to form a three man defensive line – whereas the wing backs get forward to form a 3-5-2 offensively. Bilbao displays an aggressive possession play as they push the full back high up the pitch.

In the final third, the wingers work together to advance the ball. They often look to cross the ball into the box in search of Aduriz or Raul Garcia who are good in the air.

Also, Bilbao will look to exploit space behind Marcelo. Iñaki Williams – who operates on the right – is a pacey player who can easily out-run Marcelo. As a result, Sergio Ramos will have a lot on his hands today and will expect Casemiro and Rafa Varane to be in top-gear today.

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