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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Inaki Williams (R) of Athletic Club de Bilbao celebrates after scoring with his teammate Raul Garcia during the La Liga game between Villarreal CF and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 9, 2018 in Vila-real, Spain (Photo by David Aliaga/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Inaki Williams (R) of Athletic Club de Bilbao celebrates after scoring with his teammate Raul Garcia during the La Liga game between Villarreal CF and Athletic Club de Bilbao at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 9, 2018 in Vila-real, Spain (Photo by David Aliaga/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Players to watch for

Raul Garcia

Raul Garcia is one of the most important cogs of the Bilbao offensive wheel. Although he might come out as a prickly and might not be liked by a lot of football fans, he is good at what he does. He has scored eight goals this season and has an assist to his name.

Garcia is, in all probability, the most hard-working player in the entire midfield. He is good with his pressing, tracking back ,and surprise runs into the box. Athletic Bilbao generally look to play the ball to him as he does well to hold the ball up-field. It allows other players to make overlapping runs into opposition final third.

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Oscar De Marcos

De Marcos operates as a right back for Bilbao. His pace and link-up play is a frequent outlet for the Basque side, and he defends well against counter-attacks, too. De Marcos loves to get forward and has the ability to put good balls into the opposition box all game long.

However, he has not scored many goals or provided assists this term, mostly due to his absence through an injury. He is a live wire and it is not a surprise that 43 percent of the attacks come from the right-wing.

De Marcos will be up against Marcelo and could prove to be more than a handful for the Brazilian.

Iñaki Williams

Before the season started, there were offers for the Spanish international, and rightly so. He is an attractive footballer to watch. His pace and dribbling are an asset to Bilbao. Iñaki looks to run at the opposition defenders and cut back inside to allow De Marcos to make advancing runs.

Both Iñaki and De Marcos have formed a partnership on the right and Real Madrid needs to be really careful in how they deal with the two.

Another dimension of his game that often goes unnoticed is his defensive contributions. He often looks to track back and does not shy away from making crucial tackles for the cause of his side.

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