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Real Madrid – Hoping And Fighting
Barcelona’s Juan Laporta insists that the pressure is on Real Madrid as La Liga is two match-days away from its end. The Spanish giants, in the meantime, prefer to remain hopeful that the current leaders will drop points against Sevilla. Real Madrid are actually one point behind Barcelona; if the Catalans complete the double over Los Nervionenses and if Madrid fail to defeat Bilbao, then the race for La Liga title will be well and truly over for Florentino Perez's $ 300 Million team.
As usual, especially since their Clasico loss, Real Madrid’s mission is to win at all cost no matter the situation. During the week, Los Blancos triumphed 4-1 over Mallorca thanks to the major influence of hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo. The world’s most expensive player was praised by the coach as being “the embodiment of Real Madrid’s spirit”. This vital comeback victory offered Los Blancos a mental boost ahead of this weekend’s crucial home encounter against Athletic Bilbao.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini gave his thoughts, calling upon his players’ focus:
"The match against Bilbao will not be easy. We have to win and focus on ourselves since whatever happens in Sevilla will not have anything to do with us."
His statement was also echoed by midfielder Esteban Granero who explained:
"It would be a mistake not to focus on our match only. Barcelona's result will be meaningless if we don't win. Still, we will keep an eye on Sevilla because this weekend may be decisive."
Athletic Bilbao – European Aspirations Will Motivate
Los Leones have 51 points, and they are one point behind Villarreal and Getafe who both possess 52 points. These three teams are vying for a Europa League spot and with 6 points still at stake, anything could happen. Athletic Bilbao are keen to end their season on a wonderful note and only a 6th place finish will guarantee them that.
They’ll need to gather their forces and bring down Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu if they want to keep their European hopes alive. Defender Ander Iturraspe seems very much aware of the situation in which Athletic Bilbao find themselves. Looking at the game, he underlined the Spanish giant’s greatness and compared it to his side’s hard challenge.
“We’ll have plenty to prove at the Bernabeu. They [Real Madrid] have high standard attacking players. They usually have no mercy if they get their chances. We will have to be very, very good. We’ll need to have a bit of luck and also, we won’t have to give them opportunities. Actually, they end up taking them more than they do not.
“Against teams like Real Madrid, you have to take their chances. Otherwise, you pay dearly. This happened to us against Barcelona. We had plenty of opportunities. But Madrid will have chances because they are one of the best teams on the planet.”
It will be interesting to see whether Athletic Bilbao’s Europa League aspirations are strong enough to crash Real Madrid’s La Liga title dream.
Real Madrid's roster
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Ramos, Garay, Albiol, Arbeloa, Marcelo
Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Lass, Drenthe, Kaka, Granero, Alonso
Attackers: Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema
Athletic Bilbao roster
Goalkeepers: Armando, Iraizoz
Defenders: Ustaritz, San Jose, Iturraspe, Iraola, Koikili, Amorebieta
Midfielders: Susaeta, Yeste, Gurpegi, Gabilondo, Javi Martinez
Attackers: Llorente, Toquero, De Marcos, Muniain, Etxeberria
Real Madrid’s Last Five Results
Apr. 15: Almeria 1-2 Real Madrid
Apr. 18: Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia
Apr. 24: Real Zaragoza 1-2 Real Madrid
May. 02: Real Madrid 3-2 Osasuna
May. 05: Real Mallorca 1-4 Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao’s Last Five Results
Apr. 15: Valencia 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
Apr. 18: Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Real Zaragoza
Apr. 26: Osasuna 0-0 Athletic Bilbao
May. 02: Athletic Bilbao 1-3 Real Mallorca
May. 05: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Malaga
La Liga’s Top Five Standings
Barcelona – 93 points, +69
Real Madrid – 92 points, +63
Valencia – 68 points, +20
Sevilla – 60 points, +16
Mallorca – 59 points, +14
