adminMADRID. — Real Madrid’s search for a return to form will be severely tested when the Spanish La Liga soccer leaders travel to face an Athletic Bilbao side still high from reaching the Copa del Rey final today.
Madrid saw their advantage over Barcelona at the top of the table cut to two points after being held 1-1 at home by Villarreal last weekend.
Los Blancos have dropped seven points in their 10 La Liga matches since ending a trophy-laden 2014 on a 22-game winning run.
And with a potentially decisive El Clasico clash with Barcelona now just two weeks away, Madrid can’t afford many more slip-ups in their quest for just a second La Liga title in seven seasons.
However, Bilbao is often a treacherous destination for the European champions with last season’s 1-1 draw in which Cristiano Ronaldo was sent-off a case in point.
After a difficult campaign, Athletic also come into the game in high spirits having set up a Cup final against Barcelona for the third time in seven years thanks to a 2-0 win at Espanyol on Wednesday.
The Basques have also managed back-to-back league wins against Rayo Vallecano and Eibar to ease any relegation fears. — AFP.
Online Reporter