Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Athletic Bilbao in Copa del Rey quarterfinals

Real Madrid will travel to San Mames for a second time this season to take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Los Blancos have defeated the proud LaLiga club three times already this season, including in the Spanish Supercup final in Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday night, Real will face Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey, and they may miss several important contributors due to either injury or international fixtures played in South America.

Here is a look at the predicted starting XI for Real Madrid in their third Copa del Rey fixture of 2022, having already beaten Alcoyano and Elche to get to the quarterfinals.

GK Andriy Lunin

Though there have been rumblings that Carlo Ancelotti could go with Thibaut Courtois in goal in order to secure advancement in the Copa, this would be a mistake. Andriy Lunin has done a very good job in goal for Real Madrid to this point. He already gets so few opportunities, and pulling him from Copa del Rey duties could hurt the young man’s confidence.

LB David Alaba

Ferland Mendy will have to miss the quarterfinals due to an injury, so there are a number of options for Carlo Ancelotti at left back. Marcelo should not be one of them, as he has been a liability defensively in the other Copa del Rey fixtures. Athletic Bilbao’s forward line would surely roast him. Miguel Gutierrez could potentially play, but it seems like there is something at play keeping him from being selected.

Gareth Bale has even been mentioned as a possible left back, but I would not take that seriously. The choice will come down to Nacho Fernandez and David Alaba. It could go either way, and while Carlo may want to keep Alaba in the middle, the reality is that he is a much, much better left back option than Nacho, who has been poor at the position this season against any sort of competent opponent. And Athletic Bilbao are absolutely a competent opponent, especially in the Copa.

CB Nacho Fernandez

And thus, Nacho will start in the middle. Madridistas would love to see one of the promising Castilla central defenders start in the cup, but Ancelotti can’t risk it in a game like this.

CB Eder Militao

The hero on multiple occasions this season, including in the recent 2-2 draw with Elche, Eder Militao is a lock to start. He will be one of the most important players on the pitch against Inaki Williams, whom he always has entertaining battles with.

RB Dani Carvajal

Check back later for updates on the right back situation, because it is a difficult situation to predict. Dani Carvajal has been in and out of the lineup a lot this season due to injury and, most recently, COVID-19. But I would tentatively expect him to make his return to the XI for this knockout match.