#Athletic Club vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid have once again been knocked out of the Copa Del Rey. Carlo Ancelotti made the bizarre decision to start Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Casemiro despite all three Brazilians arriving back from South America less than 48 hours before the match. Their performance was lackluster and the entire Real Madrid team performance was sub-par. There were no excuses for Real Madrid’s lack of a cohesive game plan and Carlo Ancelotti will take much of the blame for that along with his personnel choices.

Athletic Bilbao sent Real Madrid crashing out of the Copa del Rey thanks to a stunning last-minute strike by substitute Álex Berenguer at San Mamés. Berenguer’s goal in the 89th minute secured a surprise 1-0 victory in the quarter-finals, as Marcelino’s side followed up their last-16 win over Barcelona with another unexpected result. It was a deserved breakthrough for the hosts, who had been the stronger side for much of the contest, and made up for defeats to Real in the Spanish Super Cup final and two recent La Liga matches.

Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Real Madrid. Here is the immediate reaction to the cup defeat. Up next: press conference details, player ratings and the ManagingMadrid podcast. After recent SuperCup success and with the club still sitting at the top of La Liga - victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter finals would send Los Blancos on their way to a domestic treble. Rumours had it that both Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale might get the nod for this one, but those were quickly quashed when Rodyrgo Goes, Casemiro and Vinícius Júnior took a late flight home from Brazil just in time. All three were listed in the line-up, with Luka Jović left on the bench in favour of no recognised striker in Karim Benzema’s absence. Dani Carvajal did return on the bench, but Lucas Vázquez was still preferred ahead of him for now. Nacho Fernández captained the side today after being called in at left-back in place of the injured Ferland Mendy.

Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid go toe-to-toe yet again in what is becoming a season within the season between the two sides, with the Lions hosting Los Blancos at San Mamés in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals in what will be the fourth meeting between the teams in two months.

1-4-3-3 | 01. Thibaut Courtois |. | 17. Lucas Vázquez | 03. Eder Militao | 04. David Alaba | 06. Nacho |. | 10. Luka Modrić | 14. Casemiro | 08. Toni Kroos |. | 21. Rodrygo | 11. Marco Asensio | 20. Vinicius Junior |. Coach: Carlo...

Alex Berenguer scored a late winner for Athletic Club to claim a famous 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals. Substitute Berenguer curled a left-footed shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 89th minute at San Mames to finally provide reward for Athletic, who had dominated the match without being able to make an breakthrough.

A spot in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals is up for grabs on Thursday as Athletic Bilbao host Barcelona in the round of 16. Both teams are just back from their participation in the Spanish Super Cup, where Athletic lost in the final to Real Madrid after beating Atletico Madrid. Barca failed to advance from the semifinals of the competition, losing to Real Madrid in El Clasico, 3-2. The winner here will join Mallorca, Cadiz, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Real Betis, Real Soceidad and either Real Madrid or Elche in the last eight.

Atlético Madrid will square off against historical rival Athletic Club de Bilbao for a place in the Supercopa de España (de Saudi Arabia) final this weekend. Atlético, assured a place after winning the 2020/21 league title, last participated in the four-team Supercopa two years ago. In Jeddah, the Colchoneros knocked off Barcelona in a memorable semifinal before falling in a penalty shootout to eternal rival Real Madrid.

Ama Maria was the happiest woman in the world. That was her little boy down there, scoring the goal that took Athletic Club -- the only team he had ever wanted to play for -- to the Supercopa de Espana final. And that, that was her little boy too, down there with him. Nico Williams' mum was there to see the moment the 19-year-old guided a gorgeous shot past Jan Oblak, tears welling up in her eyes; his brother was there too, right there. Inaki Williams plays with him, as he always has.

LaLiga’s two biggest clubs were in the headlines recently as they fought out the first El Clasico of the new year in the Spanish Supercopa - an encounter Real Madrid just about edged, before going on to claim the trophy itself against Athletic Club.Now all three sides are back on our screens on Thursday night as the Copa del Rey takes centre stage, with the round of 16 ties pitting Barcelona against Athletic - a repeat of last season’s final, which Barca won 4-0. The current side looks rather different to the one which took to the field last April...

Real Madrid rode a pair of Karim Benzema goals to a win over Athletic Bilbao as LaLiga closed out play for 2021 on Wednesday night ahead of a holiday break. Benzema scored twice inside of the first seven minutes in an action-packed start to the game, but the hosts pulled one back soon after with a goal from Oihan Sancet to halve the lead.