Athletic puts the white streak to the test
Real Madrid, with Vinícius at his best, receives the Basque team with the aim of establishing itself in the leadership
MADRID, 30 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid aspires this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu (9:00 p.m. / Game in Movistar LaLiga) to increase its income at the helm of LaLiga Santander in the postponed match of the ninth day against Athletic Club, which needs to end a streak of five games without winning to try to re-enlist the train of Europe.
Last Sunday’s comeback and victory against Sevilla (2-1) and Real Sociedad’s stumble at the RCDE Stadium (1-0) allowed Carlo Ancelotti’s men to settle at the top of the standings, from which, with 33 points, they look with a certain distance at Atlético (29), the Donostiarras (29) and the Nervionenses (28).
Now, they hope to expand the advantage and extend the victorious streak in the domestic championship, which already extends for four days in which, however, they have conceded in each of those games against the Sevilla team, Granada (1-4) , Rayo Vallecano (2-1) and Elche (1-2).
A factor that does not worry the Madrid coach excessively, aware that the aim and the electricity up, which keep them as the highest scoring team in the category (34), are able to compensate for defensive imbalances, often the result of accumulated fatigue. for the obligation to play every three days.
“The team dynamics are very good. Rotate to rotate, no. I’m calm because I have a squad used to this type of wear, which is motivated and has experience to handle these games. We have no problems,” Ancelotti said regarding the state of theirs.
Real Sociedad and Inter Milan, in the next seven days, will put Chamartín’s team to the test, which beforehand will have to face the team with the least goalscorer (13) but also the least goalscorer in Primera (10), which does not win in the white coliseum since February 2005, in a duel of completely opposite dynamics.
The French Karim Benzema, fourth in the final classification of the Ballon d’Or, and the Brazilian Vinícius, author of the spectacular goal in the victory against Sevilla and who has seen the door in three of the last four league games of the team, will command the white attack , in which next to the two top scorers of the championship could be Marco Asensio or a Rodrygo who returned after overcoming a stomach virus.
Eden Hazard will also have minutes, according to the Italian coach, after recovering from a gastroenteritis that kept him out for three games, although he must start from the bench in his eternal struggle to find continuity. Lucas Vázquez and Nacho’s entries by Dani Carvajal and David Alaba’s headdress in defense and Fede Valverde’s by Luka Modric in midfield could be the changes introduced by Ancelotti.
THE ATHLETIC, WITH A SIGHT ON EUROPE
In front, Athletic Club (20) are looking to get up after five dates without winning, which have made them lose steam in the fight for continental positions that are still four points behind. Since their victory against Villarreal in San Mamés (2-1), those of Marcelino García Toral have been unable to add the three points.
They drew with Espanyol (1-1) and Real Sociedad (1-1) before falling at home to Cádiz (0-1), and then added again against two lower rivals, Levante (0-0) and Grenade. Despite everything, they remain undefeated away from home – one win and six draws.
Away from his fiefdom, Unai Simón only had to get the ball out of his goal three times, numbers that speak of the defensive strength of the Basque team but that pale before the evident lack of success in the offensive facet.
The absence of Iñigo Martínez, sent off in the last game against the Nasrids, will force Marcelino to make changes in the eleven, where Yeray Álvarez will foreseeably take the place of the Spanish international. Nor will he be able to count on Dani Vivian or Asier Villalibre, who join Yuri Berchiche and Peru Nolaskoain in the infirmary.
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Nacho, Militao, Mendy; Casemiro, Valverde, Kroos; Vinícius, Rodrygo and Benzema.
ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón; De Marcos, Yeray Álvarez, Unai Núñez, Lekue; Álex Berenguer, Dani García, Vesga, Muniain; Raúl García and Iñaki Williams.
– REFEREE: Díaz de Mera Escuderos (C. Castellano-Manchego).
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
– TIME: 21.00 / Great game at Movistar LaLiga.