Not only are Real Madrid now out of the Champions League earlier than the famous European giants are used to, but they must soldier on without one of their top superstars as they prepare for a tricky La Liga game against Athletic Club at home.
Kylian Mbappe has gone five games without a goal contribution, his longest streak since 2018, and will miss the next two games with an injury picked up late in the midweek defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday.
Los Blancos have a bleak outlook on the rest of the season by their standards, as the possibility of finishing the campaign without a single trophy remains a distinct possibility. They sit four points back of leaders Barcelona in the league standings with seven matches remaining, while their arch rivals also stand in the way of the Copa del Rey trophy with an El Clasico final looming at the end of the month.
Having already lost to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final earlier this season, it's entirely possible that the hated Catalan side could pip Madrid to all three domestic trophies. Thus, the stretch run of the 2024/25 season will be just as much about securing silverware for themselves as it is about preventing Barcelona from doing the same.
This weekend's match will not be one for Real Madrid to look past, however, as Athletic Club sit fourth in the league table and are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions. They haven't lost since dropping two in a row in early March, first to Atletico Madrid in league play before a loss at Roma provided only a temporary setback in Europa League action.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
MORE: Latest Ballon d'Or power rankings as Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe fade
Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club lineups
After twisting his ankle in the final 20 minutes of Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Arsenal, Kylian Mbappe will reportedly miss the next two La Liga games at the least. He will be targeting a return in the April 30 Copa del Rey final, but it remains unclear whether he will fully recover in time for that season-defining match.
That means Real Madrid will hope that struggling Rodrygo can return to form, without a single goal contribution in league play since late January. Instead of turning to Endrick, Arda Guler, or Brahim Diaz to replace Mbappe, Carlo Ancelotti has changed to a 4-4-2 diamond with Dani Ceballos brought in as the dual No. 8 alongside Luka Modric.
There are issues at both full-back positions as well, as David Alaba has not been a competent fill-in at left-back with Ferland Mendy out injured. After being suspended for the midweek defeat, Eduardo Camavinga is the most viable solution at that position.
A decision must also be made on the right, as Lucas Vazquez has received criticism for his performances in place of the injured Dani Carvajal. Ancelotti has moved Federico Valverde over to right-back, which not only brings Vazquez to the bench but made space for Modric in midfield.
Real Madrid starting XI (4-4-2 diamond, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Camavinga — Modric, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Ceballos — Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Injured: Mendy (hamstring), Militao (ACL), Carvajal (ACL), Lunin (muscle, doubt).
Suspended: None.
MORE: All the latest Real Madrid news | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list | Latest Champions League top goal scorer list
Despite stretching deep into the Europa League knockouts, Athletic Club are at nearly full fitness as they battle on multiple fronts. Yet that didn't make it any easier to predict Ernesto Valverde's starting lineup, as the head man has rotated heavily between league and European play, and does so again today.
Even their regular starters like Mikel Jauregizar, Alex Berenguer, and Nico Williams weren't safe from the alterations, as Jauregizar and the dangerous Williams were both surprisingly brought to the bench. Alvaro Djalo, takes over on the wing, Unai Nunez replaces Daniel Vivien at the back, and Mikel Vesga enters in midfield. Unai Simon returns in goal for league play with cup starter Julen Agirrezabala returning to the bench.
The biggest decision is at the No. 10 spot, where Oihan Sancet and Unai Gomez have split the time nearly evenly despite Sancet's far superior production. Yuri Berchiche makes his return from injury and is amongst the substitutes, meaning there are no fitness concerns for the club at the moment.
Athletic Club predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Simon (GK) — Gorosabel, Paredes, U. Nunez, Boiro — Prados, Vesga — Djalo, Gomez, Berenguer — Guruzeta.
Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sun, Apr. 20 | 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT | ESPN Deportes | Fubo USA, ESPN+ |
| Canada | Sun, Apr. 20 | 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT | TSN2 | TSN+ |
| UK | Sun, Apr. 20 | 8 p.m. BST | — | Premier Player, LaLigaTV |
| Australia | Mon, Apr. 21 | 7 a.m. AEST | beIN Sports 2 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | Mon, Apr. 21 | 1:30 a.m. IST | — | GXR World |
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >