Real Madrid will travel to San Mamés this Wednesday to face Athletic Bilbao in the 16th round of La Liga. This is a crucial match for Carlo Ancelotti, who must avoid a poor result at all costs, as it could further weaken his position as head coach of the Madrid team.
Currently second in La Liga with 33 points, Real Madrid is closely trailed by Barcelona, who have 34 points and a game in hand. Following a home victory against Getafe last Sunday, Los Blancos embark on a series of away games, starting with a challenging clash against the Basques of Athletic Bilbao. This match promises to be tough, and Carlo Ancelotti has a lot at stake: any misstep would only heighten doubts about his ability to handle high-stakes encounters against strong opponents.
Nico Williams and Bilbao, a formidable challenge.
Since the start of the season, Real Madrid has struggled to convince, despite a respectable number of wins in the league. Carlo Ancelotti’s team has consistently shown its limitations against top-level opponents. Aside from a spectacular victory against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Real has yet to win a major showdown in La Liga. A 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid in Matchday 7, followed by a heavy defeat to Barça in El Clásico, has left its mark.
Against Athletic Bilbao, unbeaten in their last nine matches (six wins, including three in the Europa League), the task promises to be daunting. With players like Nico Williams, a promising talent who nearly joined Barça this summer, his brother Iñaki Williams, and Oihan Sancet, the team led by Ernesto Valverde poses a significant challenge for Real Madrid.
A Must-Win at San Mamés
Another defeat against Bilbao would put Carlo Ancelotti in a critical position, calling into question his ability to fully utilize the resources of a squad rich in talent. With the return of Aurélien Tchouaméni, the growing influence of Dani Ceballos, and key players like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Luka Modrić, and Rodrygo Goes, excuses for failure are becoming scarce.
Facing a Basque side currently fourth in the standings with 26 points, Real Madrid must secure a victory to remain in the title race. With big matches serving as the ultimate measure of La Liga contenders, Los Blancos cannot afford any more slip-ups.
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