Real Madrid will have another “Final” this weekend at San Mames, as Los Blancos will take on Athletic Club on Sunday afternoon. Los Leones have proven dangerous to top teams, defeating Atletico Madrid and Sevilla in recent weeks.
The margin for error is effectively zero for Real, and even that may not be enough, since title leaders Atleti have easier matchups against Osasuna and Real Valladolid to close the season. Still, Real can only focus on what they can control.
Here are three things for Madridistas to look forward to this Sunday at San Mames.
Another goal contribution for Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard probably didn’t know too much about it, but he scored the decisive late equalizer against Sevilla last weekend that kept Real Madrid’s title hopes on life support. The Belgian came off the bench and scored by deflecting Toni Kroos’ shot from outside the box.
Then on Thursday night at Granada, Hazard also came off the bench and had a cutback to assist rare goal-scorer Alvaro Odriozola to give Real breathing room at 3-1. Los Blancos would eventually go on to win 4-1.
Hazard probably won’t start against the rough-and-tough Bilbao, who will probably target Hazard just as viciously as Granada did on Thursday. He drew three fouls in less than one half-hour, per WhoScored.com.
But Hazard is quietly looking good since the Chelsea debacle. Madridistas would love to see him make a statement by scoring or assisting in a third straight game during this nail-biting title race.