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Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao | La Liga Preview

Friday, 24 October 08, 01:50 PM · Comments (17)

Real Madrid VS Athletic Bilbao - La Liga | Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 21:00 CET | Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs Athletico Bilbao

In addition to Real Madrid and Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao has never been relegated to the second division. It is also the team who has always depended on local players and this Basque-only policy will probably continue to exist despite the fans being against it.

Therefore, this match is pretty special. Bilbao might not be a famous club on an international level, but they are a great team which has pride and history.

Having said that, I'm looking forward to this match which I think is a must-win one having lately slipped-up against Espanyol (and got a last-minute win against At.Madrid) and lost to Juventus in the Champions League.

Midfielders Guti and Diarra have trained with the team and they are most likely to make the squad. However, Gonzalo Higuain is still doubtful after he picked up an injury against Juventus. Add to that, Ruud Van Nistelrooy who is suspended (he reportedly asked Real to appeal but they refused).

If Higuain doesn't make it on time, Schuster will then be forced to start with Saviola whom has been ignored by the German trainer since the beginning of the season.

I myself have wondered many times why Schuster is being unfair to Saviola and thought many times that he'd start or at least get some minutes but I got disappointed every time and at times surprised to see Saviola being left-out from the squad.

Hopefully Saviola will get his first start and impress the coach.

As for Bilbao, they lost to Barcelona 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sameul E'to. I didn't watch the match so I can't say whether they played well or not, but from the scoreline I think they weren't easy to beat.

According to Corey, the other Real Madrid blogger at the Offside, Javi Martinez and Joseba Exteberria have fully recovered from their respective injuries and are fit to play. However, Ander Murillo is out with a hernia.

They are likely to play defensively and try to get a draw at the Bernabeu. I don't like that kind of team because it just defends and doesn't go forward. I want an open game because it is more enjoyable.

With Robben starting, we should have that width we missed against Juventus. Robben is now crucial for us as he is the only natural and talented winger we have.

I'd also love Marcelo to start before Heinze. I think Heinze is not performing well at the moment and have made costly mistakes recently.

Lineup:

Casillas

Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Marcelo

Diarra

Robben, VDV, Sneijder

Saviola, Rau'l

Prediction:

I'm gonna predict a 2-0 win. I think it won't be easy, but they'll do it. Who scores? Savioa, both - if he plays ;)

Whats your thoughts, lineup and prediction?

Hala Madrid!

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Tags: La Liga 08/09, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao

Topics: La Liga 08/09, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao
Live report for: Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Posted by Adam Bader | 17 Madridstas said something

17 Madridistas have commented on "Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao | La Liga Preview" · Add yours

1. Lateral Wrote: | 23.31BST | Oct 24, 2008

Hi Adam,
just to let you know that I've added my email address on my profile, but its just lateralizquierdo@gmail.com. thanks for your comment, I've added your blog to my links too. be in touch soon,
cheers
Lateral

2. alex Wrote: | 01.04BST | Oct 25, 2008

Casillas
Ramos Pepe Canavaro Marcelo

Gago

VDV Sneijder Robben

Raul

Higuain/Saviola
But knowing shuster saviola wouldn't see a minute.

3. alex Wrote: | 01.06BST | Oct 25, 2008

Reply to alex:

Casillas
Ramos Pepe Canavaro Marcelo

Gago

VDV Sneijder Robben

Raul
...

*won't

4. RealMad Wrote: | 01.47BST | Oct 25, 2008

Adam, it's a little known fact, but if you use the syntax you used in this article, Getafe and Almeria join the list of clubs that have never been relegated. Of course, the difference is that they didn't start out in Primera. But, they have only recently come up for the first time, and have not been sent down, therefore, they have never been relegated.

5. helmet_09 Wrote: | 01.55BST | Oct 25, 2008

I hope we don't play Raul as a lone striker because Shuster refuses to play Saviola. Saviola has to play and I'm sure he will have a big part to play in this game

Casillas

Ramos Pepe Cannavaro Marcelo
Gago/Diarra

VDV Sneijder/Guti Robben/De la Red

Raul Saviola

6. thedangerzolo Wrote: | 05.36BST | Oct 25, 2008

Reply to RealMad:

Adam, it's a little known fact, but if you use the syntax you used in this article, Getafe and Almeria join the list of clubs that have never been relegated. Of course, the difference is that they didn't start out in Primera. But, they have only recently come up for the first time, and have not...

Adam means the teams that has been in the Primera since the start which are : Real Madrid , Barcelona and A.Bilbao .. those have never been relegated . Almeria and Getafe was relegated years ago .. they havent stated all their time in the primera

7. davorreal Wrote: | 06.41BST | Oct 25, 2008

Reply to thedangerzolo:

Reply to RealMad:
Adam, it's a little known fact, but if you use the syntax you used in this article, Getafe and Almeria join the list of clubs that have never been relegated. Of course, the difference is that they didn't start out in Primera. But, they have only recently come up for the first time, and have not...
Adam means the teams that has been in the Primera since the start which are : Real Madrid , Barcelona and A.Bilbao .. those have never been relegated . Almeria and Getafe was relegated years ago .. they havent stated all their time in the primera

Exactly!
Anyway,poor Bilbao!
On Sunday!

8. realfreak Wrote: | 15.13BST | Oct 25, 2008

I PRAY AND HOPE SAVIOLA STARTS!

9. HalaMadrid Wrote: | 17.44BST | Oct 25, 2008

I think Schuster's going to rest Raul for this match too and playa rotation side to see if the bench is readdy to get more chances. It will be something like:
Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Metz, Marcelo, Diarra, Sneijder, Guti, VDV, Higuain, Saviola, Robben.

I don't know if i'm the only one who thinks so but that is one nice line-up. As for the game it's going to be 3-1, Higuain, Sneijder and Saviola and Llorente for Bilbao. Hala Madrid!

10. Adambader Wrote: | 22.14BST | Oct 25, 2008

Squad list announced. Diarra and Guti back, Cannavaro rested.

11. Raphcannon Wrote: | 22.16BST | Oct 25, 2008

I'm yet to watch the Boys play this season, but i don't mind seeing Saviola in attack, eventhough i was thinking that Higuian was doing good, but you guys have watched the team this season so should know better.

hey also i would like to use this forum as an open appeal to Badjer or who is in charge to help me with my password, can't remember where i wrote it down.

12. Murali Krishnan.T Wrote: | 16.42GMT | Oct 26, 2008

Why isn't De la Red in the squad list?!

13. thedangerzolo Wrote: | 19.22GMT | Oct 26, 2008

Reply to Murali Krishnan.T:

Why isn't De la Red in the squad list?!

He's in it , its Adam's whose not adding him to his lol

14. thedangerzolo Wrote: | 19.23GMT | Oct 26, 2008

Reply to Raphcannon:

I'm yet to watch the Boys play this season, but i don't mind seeing Saviola in attack, eventhough i was thinking that Higuian was doing good, but you guys have watched the team this season so should know better.

hey also i would like to use this forum as an open appeal to Badjer or...

Hey Raph .. its been a long time , anyways use Oleole's password recover form to get back your password .. I think that would solve the problem

15. victor idaewor Wrote: | 19.24GMT | Oct 26, 2008

i want to see ruudvan in nigeria cal +2348025424546

16. Adambader Wrote: | 20.25GMT | Oct 26, 2008

Reply to thedangerzolo:

Reply to Murali Krishnan.T:
Why isn't De la Red in the squad list?!
He's in it , its Adam's whose not adding him to his lol

No it isn't my fault and I didn't publish the squad list in the first place. He is left-out for coaching decisions.

17. Adambader Wrote: | 20.42GMT | Oct 26, 2008

Reply to Raphcannon:

I'm yet to watch the Boys play this season, but i don't mind seeing Saviola in attack, eventhough i was thinking that Higuian was doing good, but you guys have watched the team this season so should know better.

hey also i would like to use this forum as an open appeal to Badjer or...

Long time no see. Just try to recover your password using OleOle's recover process if that fails email me.