Real Madrid Predicted XI vs. Athletic Bilbao: Young wingers get a chance

This is how Real Madrid could line up against Athletic Bilbao.

Just a few days after their 1-0 victory over Getafe, Real Madrid prepare for an unusually early match against Athletic Bilbao as the main question is Zidane’s mind will be who to choose in the starting lineup without risking fatigue while still being able to come out with a strong team who can get the job done.

Predicted XI:

Goalkeeper –

Consistency is the main requirement in the current situation and Thibaut Courtois has shown extreme consistency since the return of football. It’s still a little shocking to see how the season began for him in comparison to what we are seeing now but he has been in brilliant form. We might see a little more from Bilbao but Courtois has shown against Getafe that he’s always aware and ready and that will be the case once again in the upcoming match.

Defenders –

Dani Carvajal is the only natural right-back in the team and he will be expected to play once again. It’s something that I’ve stressed before but if Carvajal gets really tired or injured (which is extremely likely) then Real Madrid do not have anyone capable enough to do the job regardless of the opposition and this is extremely worrying given how often the games are these days.

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In the middle, there is a good possibility that we’ll be seeing Eder Militao take Raphael Varane’s place after his injury against Getafe while Sergio Ramos will be chosen next to him. On the left, it seems like Marcelo will make a return after Ferland Mendy was the left-back chosen in the previous match.

Midfielders –

With another strong defensive showing expected on the night, Carlos Casemiro will be there to do what he does best. He has always been happy doing the dirty work and that does so much for keeping the team in sync and prepared to attack at all times.

In front of Casemiro, I think Zidane will learn from what happened against Getafe and field Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde as we saw Luka Modric struggle against an aggressive team. Bilbao aren’t as aggressive as Getafe but they do have their moments.

The manager decided to start with Isco as well in the last match but there’s very little to show that he’ll want to do that again on Sunday as a return to a more ‘traditional’ lineup might be the correct move.

Forwards –

Who Zidane decides to pick on the right flank is always a coin-toss but I’m gonna predict that both Brazilian wingers will be taking the pitch on Sunday. With Rodrygo Goes on the right and Vinicius Junior on the left, the team will be bursting with energy and they’ll cause the Bilbao defenders a lot of trouble with their speed and skill down the wings as the striker, Karim Benzema, will always be more than ready to take advantage of any ball that comes his way.

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He has proven that it’s extremely difficult and risky to drop him and we can’t blame the manager for picking him consistently even with Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic back in the squad.

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