Real Madrid - Athletic Bilbao: A Grand Finale to the Season at the Santiago Bernabéu

The 2025/26 La Liga season culminates this weekend, with the Santiago Bernabéu set to host a classic Spanish football clash. Real Madrid enters this final 38th round from second place with 83 points, having secured 26 victories throughout the campaign. While the title may be out of reach for Álvaro Arbeloa's side, their motivation to finish strong in front of their home crowd remains high. On the other side, Athletic Bilbao sits in 12th place with 45 points and will be looking to break their negative streak to end the season in the top half of the table.

The history of recent encounters heavily favors "Los Blancos." In the first match between the two teams this season, Real Madrid thrashed the Basques 3-0 at their San Mamés stadium, with two goals from Kylian Mbappé. In fact, the Madrid giants have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides. The home team's form is solid, with three wins in their last five matches, while Athletic is struggling, recording three losses in their last five games, including defeats to Valencia and Espanyol.

Álvaro Arbeloa is likely to stick with his established 4-4-2 formation. Thibaut Courtois will be in goal, with Antonio Rüdiger and young prospect Dean Huijsen forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Jude Bellingham will have the freedom to support the attack, where Kylian Mbappé is the star figure. Ernesto Valverde and his Athletic Bilbao side traditionally rely on a compact defense and quick transitions. The Basques are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, aiming to close down spaces for Madrid's speedy forwards.

The most intriguing battle will undoubtedly be between Kylian Mbappé and visiting defender Aymeric Laporte. Mbappé is in exceptional form with 24 goals this season and will be a constant threat to Unai Simón's goal. Another key duel will be in the midfield, where Jude Bellingham (4 assists) will face Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta in a battle for control of the ball. On the wing, the experienced Dani Carvajal will need to neutralize the pace of Iñaki Williams, who is the main driving force behind the Basque attacks.

Both teams enter the match with personnel issues. Real Madrid will be without the injured Éder Militão, Rodrygo, and Arda Güler. The significant absence is Vinicius Júnior, who will not be risked due to his preparation with the Brazilian national team for the World Cup. For Athletic Bilbao, key figures like Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, and Yuri Berchiche are out, severely limiting Valverde's attacking options.

Visiting coach Ernesto Valverde commented before the match: "We know how difficult it is to play at the Bernabéu, but this is the last game of the season, and we want to finish on a high note." For Real Madrid, the match could be an emotional farewell for some veterans like Dani Carvajal, adding extra intensity to the encounter.