Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Injured players are slowly getting back and the available players are in toptop shape. There were a few rotations against Legia so we should see some fresh legs out there tomorrow.

From ZZ's presser:

About Morata not starting enough:

It's important that I speak with Morata often as I like him as a player and think that he is important to the long term plans of this squad. He will continue to get playing time as the season is long

About Kroos playing too much:

We only have two players who can play in that position; Casemiro and Kroos and it's true kroos is playing alot but I am not worried because he is not worried. Kroos is the kind of player who can play a game and be ready for the next game the day after......

Squad called up:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Casilla and Ruben Yanez.
Defenses: Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo and Danilo.
Midfielders: Kroos, James, Kovacic, Asensio and Isco.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Lucas Vazquez and Morata.

Injuries:

Modric-Has already started jogging and doing light ball excercises. Is expected to be back for the Madrid derby in November

Ramos-His recovery is going faster than expected apparently...... ):

Casemiro-Still training indoors but started doing some ball excercises. Has already been called up by the Brazil coach for their game against Argentina. Hope we extend his recovery time so he misses the internationals

Coentrao-Recovered and is back in training.......for now

Probable (unofficially confirmed) Line up:


On Bilbao:

They are largely the same team as last season but have started the season very well lingering just below Barca and Villarreal in the table. They recently played all their top players in the Europa league where they lost 2-0 to some Eastern European team. I expect nothing less than a win

Hala Madrid Hala Valencia

Time to put those BBC only, non positional play tactics to work. Also, this tie usually is not a snooze fest so expecting goals (on both ends unfortunately).

Can't believe I had to endure that robbery of a game today. We better come out with a bang tomorrow. Need the game to be over by half time

No Aduriz so our CBs should have a fairly quiet day in the air department. Inaki Williams is expected to play at the tip, that's like having Douglas Costa up there lol

Excited to see our midfield again. Can't wait to see how they do against an opposition such as Bilbao

Have they released the official starting line up yet?

No still 1h30mins to go before we see the line ups

CR and Marcelo destroying the team.

CR takes up Benzemas position because he don't want to defend and now Benzema in left wing who really can't do anything from there and can't defend. The fb takes advantage of Marcelo and Pepe

Absolutely horrible football. Only saving grace is Midfield trio which is very dynamic.

How selfish can one be fml

It's Varane next to Marcelo. We have dealt with their attacks well. Their tactics are predictable, long ball to Williams and see if he can outpace Varane. Very unlucky with the goal where we had a collective fak up at the back.

Good game so far, enjoyable football

Cant believe Ronaldo took the shot at the end instead of passing to Benzema. Imagine it it was the other way round. Deservedly booed for that, frigging idiot

Didn't watch the first half, but from the comments here, we didn't play well.

I'll wait until I see the second half and make an accurate judgement myself.

Dropping points is not an option. Please don't bring me any excuse in case we lose or draw Bilbao at the Bernabeu.

Win, or don't even bother coming back.

We are not playing bad at all. We are playing very well actually. We conceded an unfortunate goal where the ball richotered off everyone of our defenders before falling nicely to Merino. Bilbao are leaving alot of space in behind but a combinqtion of poor crosses and selfish shots is what's keeping this scoreline down

halamadrid2 wrote:We are not playing bad at all. We are playing very well actually. We conceded an unfortunate goal where the ball richotered off everyone of our defenders before falling nicely to Merino. Bilbao are leaving alot of space in behind but a combinqtion of poor crosses and selfish shots is what's keeping this scoreline down

Way to simplify it. Benzema couldn't defend, Marcelo got destroyed and Pepe cleared it to Bilbao player in the box. Series of mistake does not mean it is luck. Most of the goals we concede ar e similar.

Madrid switched to a 442

Zidane's boy ffs. Be prepared for even more crosses guys

Zidane's clapping is legendary at this point

all these cristiano misses smh

Isco getting subbed

smfh, these guys do not want to score

wtf, morata? why did lucas pass it to morata, finish your breakfast

finally....fantastic cross from bale, fantastic

this is getting ridiculous, what's wrong with varane, don't back pass, forget that "build from the back" rubbish, if there's pressure on you clear the damn ball....you had time, don't be foolish, quit all these back pass rubbish and focus. thanks navas

Ronaldo

I think that was the worst match i've seen him play, not just this season but in his entire career.

Our defence is so crap even without Ramos, i'd like to blame Marcelo but he was probably our best player even with him being caught out of position on multiple occasions which says a lot really.

Loooooool Kroos at the end. You go Son, give him a taste of hi own medicine

cristiano has been garbage today, absolutely terrible, missed every chance....hell, pass the damn ball to kroos or lob the goalie