Carlo Ancelotti returns to San Mamés this Wednesday in a difficult situation. Real Madrid is a prominent leader in the league, especially with regard to Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona. But the COVID outbreak that the Madrid dressing room is experiencing has reduced the Italian’s options for the starting eleven against Athletic Bilbao, as well as other injuries. Between them, Lunin, Alaba, Casemiro, Isco, Rodrygo, Asensio, Bale, Marcelo, Modric, Ceballos and Carvajal will not be in San Mamés. There are 11 casualties from a staff of 25, hence Ancelotti had to summon Blanco, Arribas, Marín, Peter, Miguel, Fuidias …
But it is also that Ancelotti knows well that San Mamés is a stadium in which too many things happen, and none of them were positive for Real Madrid, the Italian trained between 2013 and 2015. In fact, Carletto doesn’t know what it’s like to win at the Athletic stadium: in 2013-14 he drew one and in 2014-15 he lost 1-0. And in both cases, they were results that significantly diminished Real Madrid’s options to compete for LaLiga.
Athletic – Real Madrid in 2013-14.
AFP
On his first visit, Real Madrid managed to get ahead on the scoreboard thanks to a goal from Jesé, a pass from Cristiano Ronaldo. But Ibai, who came off the bench, matched the contest with a tremendous volley from the front and, minutes later, Madrid was left with ten by direct expulsion of Cristiano, for a clash with Gurpegui in which the Portuguese made an improper gesture and the Athletic one threw the rest with some theater. It was a painful draw, as Madrid was third before that day, but only one point behind Barcelona and Atleti, and he ended that day seeing how Atleti, a posteriori champion, distanced himself by three points.
The following season, 2014-15, the 1-0 defeat (goal by Aduriz) was even worse, as Madrid reached San Mamés as leaders, two points ahead of Barcelona.. But he played a lousy game, hardly created any danger and received a header from the striker that made all three points slip away. Barcelona fulfilled at home against Rayo (6-1) and took the lead; He would no longer release him throughout the League and, after beating Madrid in Classical 2-1 two days later, he generated an income that Ancelotti’s men could not recover.