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Real Madrid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 38
Jun 4, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Athletic Bilbao logo

Real Madrid
1 - 1
Athletic Bilbao

Benzema (72' pen.)
Ceballos (55'), Carvajal (85')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Sancet (49')
Sancet (57'), Berchiche (71')

Real Madrid welcome four players back into squad for Athletic Bilbao clash

Real Madrid welcome four players back into squad for Athletic clash
© Reuters
Vinicius Junior, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and Karim Benzema return to the Real Madrid squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid's squad has been boosted by the returns of Vinicius Junior, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and Karim Benzema for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Vinicius has been struggling with knee inflammation over the last couple of weeks, while Benzema missed out against Sevilla last weekend due to a nasty foot injury that he suffered against Rayo Vallecano.

The pair are back in the squad for Real Madrid's final La Liga game of the season, though, where Carlo Ancelotti's side will look to secure second position in the table ahead of Atletico Madrid.

There are also returns to the squad for Asensio and Mariano, who have been out with muscular issues, and the pair could be seen for the final time in a Real Madrid shirt on Sunday.

Real Madrid's Marco Asensio pictured on October 25, 2022© Reuters

Los Blancos confirmed on Saturday that Asensio and Mariano are both leaving this summer, with their contracts due to expire at the end of the month.

An agreement has also been reached to terminate Eden Hazard's contract this summer, but the Belgian is also in the squad for the contest with Athletic and will hope to be given the chance to say goodbye to the fans.

Ancelotti also seemingly confirmed that Benzema would be staying at Bernabeu for the 2023-24 campaign despite strong reports lining the forward with a move to Saudi Arabia.

"Benzema is ready to play tomorrow, he's recovered. I agree with Benzema. Internet is not the reality. He has another year on his contract. I think it's clear," the Italian told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"The legends of this club have to retire at Real Madrid. This is what I believe and what the club believes. But the player maybe doesn't think the same."

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their fourth goal to complete his hat-trick on April 5, 2023© Reuters

Ancelotti also offered his views on the season, with Los Blancos winning the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Copa del Rey, but they fell short in La Liga and the Champions League.

"It's difficult to rate yourself. What I can say is that it's been a very long season. We've worked hard and sometimes I haven't always been able to transmit a very high level of motivation," he added.

"It's not easy to motivate every three days. I've given everything I could give. I put myself on a positive note, but next year I'm going to do better."

Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Luka Modric and Nacho also only have deals with Real Madrid until the end of this month, and announcements on all four are likely to arrive next week.

Real Madrid squad vs. Athletic Bilbao:

Courtois, Lunin, Fran; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano

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Written by
Matt Law
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How you voted: Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid
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Draw
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Athletic Bilbao
8.1%
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Dani Ceballos in action for Real Madrid on August 20, 2022
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona21133559243542
4Athletic Bilbao21117331181340
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Rayo Vallecano217862524129
8GironaGirona218492929028
9Real Sociedad218491717028
10Real BetisBetis217772326-328
11Osasuna216962530-527
12Sevilla217682430-627
13Celta Vigo2174103033-325
14Getafe215881717023
15Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
16Leganes215881929-1023
17AlavesAlaves2156102533-821
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2137112036-1616
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815


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