The 3 Real Madrid Castilla gems who should get a chance vs. Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night at San Mames, as they look to bounce back from their draw with Cadiz over the weekend, which broke up an impressive streak of matches with only wins.
Los Blancos will be without several important players due to COVID-19, in addition to Casemiro, who is out with a suspension. As such, Carlo Ancelotti has called up seven Real Madrid Castilla players, per the official matchday squad.
Since two of these players are backup goalkeepers and surely would not start for Thibaut Courtois, there are a total of five players from Castilla who could get an opportunity on LaLiga’s Matchday 21, depending on how the game goes.
Center back Rafa Marin, left back Miguel Gutierrez, left-footer Sergio Arribas, midfielder Antonio Blanco, and the exciting Peter Federico are the five players who could make an impact for Los Blancos against the Lions on Wednesday night.
Arribas, Peter, and Blanco should get minutes if Real Madrid have a lead
None of these players are expected to start, but five of them could get valuable minutes to close 2021 as substitutes. And three of them should if Los Blancos are winning. Or even if Ancelotti needs a spark in a tight finish.
Marin is someone Ancelotti likes, and he is a rock at the heart of the Real Madrid Castilla defense. However, Nacho Fernandez is expected to start for David Alaba, who is out with COVID-19. Don’t expect Marin to be thrown into the fire, or for him to come on as a sub.
Meanwhile, Miguel is also unlikely to play a role for Ferland Mendy, but it is a possible sub if Ancelotti feels he needs more of an attacking thrust against Bilbao. After all, Mendy did struggle over the weekend vs. Cadiz.
That said, the most likely opportunities will be for the midfielders and forwards. Not only are midfielders forwards more likely to be subs since Real may need to chase a goal, but these three players are ready to contribute.
Peter Federico is the player to watch the closest
Arribas made several appearances last season for Real Madrid, and he is a young man capable of the spectacular. He can play as a right winger or a midfielder, though he is more of a forward than a midfielder.
Important update: Arribas is now out due to COVID-19.
Blanco was even more impressive, starting in a memorable 2-0 win over Cadiz last season. He is a very composed, classy midfielder. Although Eduardo Camavinga’s signing has meant fewer opportunities for Blanco, he is someone to keep an eye on. Los Blancos should still be high on him as an organization.
The man fans are most eager to see, though, and who has the best chance of playing meaningful minutes as a sub is a different right winger. Peter Federico.
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A left-footer with serious skills, Peter is one of Real’s most exciting young talents. Madridistas are itching to see him make his debut, and fans who watch Castilla every week understand his quality. He could really destabilize the tricky Bilbao defense in the final 30 minutes of this big match at San Mames and make a name for himself as a future star.