Current location:business >>
Bernabeu balancing act for Valverde with Copa del Rey final ahead
business9588People have gathered around
IntroductionReal Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will play a fascinating game in La Liga on Sunday night that could b ...
Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will play a fascinating game in La Liga on Sunday night that could be influenced by next weekend's Copa del Rey final.
Real Madrid go into the weekend with an eight-point lead over FC Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Athletic Bilbao travel to the capital in fourth place and trying to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, while next weekend sees the Basque side play Mallorca in the Cup final.
The Cup has become an obsession for 23-time winners Athletic Bilbao, who last won the title 40 years ago. Since then, they have played and lost six Cup finals, including two in two weeks in 2021, and the desire to win the trophy is palpable in Bilbao.
Coach Ernesto Valverde has to carry out a balancing act, deciding whether to protect key players, such as Nico Williams, Gorka Guruzeta and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, from injury, or to play his strongest starting 11 to try and ensure another week in the top-four.
Valverde could also decide to start reserve goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala in goal, ahead of Spain international Unai Simon. Agirrezabala will play in the Cup final and Valverde may want to give him game time ahead of next weekend.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Simon was clear in his opinions. "This is a great test for what lies ahead of us next week, because the final is going to be maximum intensity. What a better rival could we have before the final, as both matches will be intense," commented the goalkeeper.
Simon also took away significance from the fact Real Madrid will be without the suspended Vinicius Jr. "They still have [Jude] Bellingham, Rodrygo and [Federico] Valverde, who are all world-class players," he commented.
Real Madrid will also be missing Eduardo Camavinga, who misses out after twisting an ankle while playing for France, but the good news is that Eder Militao could return for the first time since tearing his cruciate knee ligament in Bilbao in the opening game of the season.
Real Madrid won that game 2-0, but Athletic Bilbao were struggling with injuries at the time and are now much stronger. The question is: Will they field their strongest side?
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Cultural Current news portal”。http://albania.bankruptcyintn.com/html-7d499577.html
Related articles
Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
businessBen Whishaw was all smiles at the world premiere of Limonov: The Ballad at the 77th annual Cannes Fi ...
【business】
Read moreCivil Aviation backtracks over technology for medical checks on pilots, air traffic controllers
businessPhoto: 123rf ...
【business】
Read moreBBC announce Tom Hiddleston is set to return to The Night Manager for two more series
businessThe BBC have announced hit drama The Night Manager will return once again as Tom Hiddleston reprises ...
【business】
Read more
Popular articles
- Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
- Threat of Iranian attack on Israel is 'real and credible', says White House
- Jurgen Klopp's gamble backfires as lacklustre Liverpool lose 3
- GRAND NATIONAL COUNTDOWN: Willie Mullins bullish over eight
- UN Security Council rejects Russia
- Ellie Leach breaks down in tears over her cheating ex
Latest articles
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
Paulo Dybala mocks Matteo Guendouzi by during ill
Is Phil Foden a shoo
Thierry Henry blames Declan Rice for Bayern Munich's opener at the Emirates
Hilarious moment mother asks her Cocker Spaniel to help choose her lottery numbers
Immigration declines nearly half of study visa applications from India so far this year
LINKS
- Xinhua Headlines: From Serfdom to Freedom — Tibet's Progress on Democracy, Human Rights
- Experts Highlight Tibet's Achievements in Promoting Culture, People's Well
- China's Social Insurance System Continues to Improve
- Marriages Fall in 2021 Leading to Lower Birth Rates in China, Despite Declining Divorce Rate
- Meet China's first corgi police dog
- China's College
- People Celebrate Traditional Flower Festival in East China
- Lixia Marked Across China
- China's College
- Xinhua Headlines: From Serfdom to Freedom — Tibet's Progress on Democracy, Human Rights