Current location:travel >>
Bernabeu balancing act for Valverde with Copa del Rey final ahead
travel99People 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.“International Insights news portal”。http://cookislands.cassettedesign.com/content-8e599465.html
Related articles
China guides college graduates in supporting western development
travelBEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have pledged further guidance and support for colleg ...
【travel】
Read moreSnap! How toned Pippa Middleton matches her bikinis with her designer wardrobe
travelWho wouldn’t envy Pippa Middleton’s sun-soaked , half-term break in St Barts with multi-millionaire ...
【travel】
Read moreFormer drug dealer given second chance as dealer of pre
travelBy Tracy Neal, Open Justice reporter of ...
【travel】
Read more
Popular articles
- Taiwan's WHA participation must fall under one
- Sandringham House is filled with the spirit of the King's gentle
- Meghan Markle purchased pair of £1990 diamond earrings from Dragons' Den hopefuls
- 'Catherine is thrilled by the kind wishes and support': Camilla thanks well
- A man investigated in the deaths of women in northwest Oregon has been indicted in 3 killings
- Kate and Charles' heart
Latest articles
LINKS
- Some Nikki Haley voters are hanging on to her candidacy and, like her, refuse to endorse Trump
- Magic hand Cavaliers worst playoff loss in franchise history, win 121
- Woman dies after being pulled from river as police arrest man in his 40s 'known to her'
- DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Nationalisation is no answer to rail chaos
- USC's move to cancel commencement amid protests draws criticism from students, alumni
- Captain Tom's scandal
- Rooting for Trump to fail has made his stock shorters millions
- Brazil's Romário returns to training at age 58, scores twice and keeps sharp tongue
- Broncos select former Oregon QB Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the NFL draft
- Buccaneers add offensive line help, select Duke C Graham Barton in NFL draft