Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Live Reddit Score 04 June 2023
Fans of Spain La Liga from all over the world are eagerly awaiting the 38th matchday, which will see Real Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, June 4, 2023. When Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos blows the starting whistle at 04:30 PM UTC, the game will be streamed live to up to 81044 individuals. Real Madrid will want to build on their previous La Liga victory over Sevilla, which they won by a score of 1-2. Real Madrid had 67% possession and 6 shots on goal, 3 of which were successful. Rodrygo scored Real Madrid’s goals (29′, 69′). Sevilla had 11 endeavors at the objective with 1 of them on track.
Los Blancos will enter this game off the back of a 2-1 win over Sevilla, and they have been strong at home in the league this season, picking up 43 points from 18 matches, losing just once. Real Madrid’s away form has ultimately cost them the chance to be in a title race, having suffered seven defeats on their travels, which is something that Ancelotti will need to address for next season. Athletic have their own reasons for wanting to pick up a positive result on the final weekend of the season, as the Basque outfit are in the running to finish seventh, which would mean qualification for the playoff round of the 2023-24 Europa Conference League.
The fact that the Lions are in this position is slightly surprising considering that they have lost five of their last seven league games, recording just one victory in the process. Ernesto Valverde’s side will enter this match off the back of successive losses to Osasuna and Elche, but they are eighth in the table, level on points with seventh-placed Osasuna, who have a superior head-to-head record over the Basque side. Athletic are not the only team in the race for seventh, with Girona, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla also involved, and it is likely that the Lions will need to win against Real Madrid to stand a chance of claiming the European spot.
The Red and Whites, who last finished seventh in 2016-17, have lost their last six league games against Real Madrid, while they have not beaten the capital side in the league since March 2015, which is an indication of the size of their task on Sunday night. Karim Benzema’s future has been the subject of much speculation over the last couple of days, with various reports claiming that he is heading for Saudi Arabia this summer. As it stands, though, there has been no announcement on his future, and the Frenchman is back in the squad for this match after recovering from a foot injury.
Vinicius Junior has also recovered from a knee issue and should start, while Mariano Diaz and Marco Asensio, who are both leaving the club this summer, are included after overcoming muscular problems. Head coach Ancelotti is expected to make a number of changes from the side that started against Sevilla, with Dani Carvajal available again following a suspension, while Eduardo Camavinga and Antonio Rudiger could also feature from the first whistle.
Sevilla received a goal from Rafa Mir (3′). Real Madrid hasn’t given up a goal in recent times, which is unusual. In fact, Real Madrid has conceded eight goals in five of their previous six matches when their defense has been breached. Athletic Bilbao and their traveling fans will hope for a better outcome here after losing to Elche CF in La Liga last time out. Athletic Bilbao had 64% possession and 28 attempts on goal, 8 of which were successful. Elche, on the other hand, had six attempts at goal, two of which were successful. Lucas Boyé (92′) scored for Elche CF. Taking a gander at their structure, Athletic Bilbao has been scored against in 6 of their last 6 matches, allowing rivals to get 11 objectives on the whole. Protectively, Athletic Bilbao could truly do with supporting things. However, it’s possible that this pattern won’t continue into the subsequent game.
Los Blancos have fallen comfortably short in La Liga, with the gap to the champions Barcelona currently 11 points, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side instead find themselves in a battle with Atletico for second. A win for Real Madrid in this match would see them claim the spot behind Barcelona, but they could lose and still finish as the runners-up if Atletico fail to overcome Villarreal, with a draw not being enough for Diego Simeone’s side due to their inferior head-to-head record against their capital rivals.
That’s a wrap. Real Madrid host Athletic Bilbao in the last game of the 2022-2023 season and the game will provide a good opportunity for the Bernabeu faithful to say good-bye to Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz. All three of them will leave the club this summer, and while Madrid are still waiting on Nacho, Modric, Ceballos, Kroos and Benzema to make a final decision about their future, it seems like they will stay. Apart from that, the match is completely irrelevant for Madrid. Los Blancos are still trying to secure the runner-up spot in the table but it really doesn’t make any difference, so coach Ancelotti will likely keep making some rotations. However, it’s important to note that Athletic are fighting to clinch their presence in the UEFA Conference League, so they will play with intensity trying to earn a win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that club captain Karim Benzema is ready to play his side’s last league game against Athletic Club while also citing that one must not forget that the Frenchman still has one more year left on his current deal. Speaking ahead of Madrid’s final game of the 2022/23 season, the manager spoke on several aspects, including the team’s transfer plans, Benzema’s future and his own continuity. When asked about Benzema, the manager said (h/t SPORT), “Benzema is ready to play tomorrow, he’s recovered.” He went on to add, “I agree with Benzema. Internet is not the reality. He has another year on his contract. I think it’s clear.”
At the same time, he subsequently admitted that Benzema is mostly on his way out. “The legends of this club have to retire at Real Madrid. This is what I believe and what the club believes. But the player maybe doesn’t think the same.” In terms of the squad for the upcoming game, he mentioned, “We want to say goodbye to our fans. They’re all ready to play. Only Mariano won’t be there, the others are fine. We want to finish in the best possible way. Then we’ll rest and prepare for next season.” Meanwhile, Benzema’s potential departure would mean Madrid will look to sign a new number 9. In this regard, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is said to be on the list and while addressing the same, the Italian said,
“Harry Kane? I’m sure you all are curious to see what will happen next season. But Kane is a Tottenham player and we have to respect this.” He went on to add, “I think we’re going to have a different squad [next season]. There are players whose contracts are running out, but it will be a competitive squad and one that makes me very excited.” Furthermore, the manager also confirmed that he will be at Real Madrid next season. “I’m happy at Real Madrid. No problems with the club. I’m very happy to continue and we will try to do better next season.” Madrid’s main man also went on to admit that he cannot make everyone in the squad happy.
“It is true that some have had little prominence, but I have tried to keep all the players motivated. It is impossible to keep them all happy. Sometimes you have to put up with that discontent from the players. I feel that there are some who have played very little.” Speaking about the plan for the next season, he added, “Next year’s squad will be very competitive. Obviously there are contracts that expire and there will be different players. But it will be competitive.” “Yes, it’s true — Fran García will be our first signing,” Ancelotti confirmed, but refused to talk about Brahim Diaz’s potential arrival. “Brahim Díaz? I can’t say anything on him right now, I can’t comment…”.