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2023/24 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 1
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid
San Mames Barria
Bilbao, Spain
Saturday, 12 August 2023
Kick-off is at 21h30
Athletic Bilbao will renew their rivalry with Real Madrid in a
Spanish La Liga match at the San Mames Barria on August 12.
Current Form
The Lions ended up their 2022/23 La Liga season with a 1-1 draw against Madrid away on June 4 as they extended their winless run to three league games
Bilbao have also lost two of their last three home matches while the other game ended in a win over Celta Vigo at the San Mames Barria.
The draw against Bilbao extended Madrid's unbeaten run in La Liga to three matches having registered two successive wins and one draw.
The Whites defeated Sevilla in their last away league game and the win ended their three-match winless run on the road having recorded three consecutive defeats.
Team News
Bilbao have so far signed Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta on a free transfer from Real Mallorca while experienced defender Inigo Martinez has parted ways with the Lions.
Madrid, on the other hand, have signed Jude Bellingham as their marquee signing, but Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, and Marco Asensio have left the club.
Head-to-Head
Madrid are enjoying a 16-match unbeaten run against Bilbao in La Liga including the 1-1 draw in their last meeting.
The Whites have recorded 11 wins and five draws from 16 league games since losing 1-0 to Bilbao in March 2015.
Quotes
“It's been a positive pre-season and in the games we've played we've displayed different qualities," Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said.
"One was very good and the other was in terms of defence, which we need to improve. The team isn't used to defending in a diamond formation.
"We conceded a lot of goals against Juventus and Barcelona. We lacked balance and we need to fix that," he added.
“The defensive aspect is the easiest to improve because it's a problem of positioning, focus and attitude."
Spanish La Liga matchday one fixtures
Friday, August 11
19:30 - UD Almeria v Rayo Vallecano
21:30 - Sevilla FC v Valencia CF
Saturday, August 12
17:00 - Real Sociedad v Girona FC
19:30 - Las Palmas v Real Mallorca
21:30 - Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid
Sunday, August 13
17:00 - Celta Vigo v CA Osasuna
19:30 - Villarreal CF v Real Betis
21:30 - Getafe CF v FC Barcelona
Monday, August 14
19:30 - Cadiz CF v Deportivo Alaves
21:30 - Atletico Madrid v Granada CF
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