Real Madrid Faces Athletic Club Amidst Champions League Disappointment

Madrid, Spain — Real Madrid returns to the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday, April 20, 2025, to face Athletic Club in a pivotal LaLiga match following their disappointing exit from the Champions League. After a 1-5 aggregate defeat to Arsenal in the quarterfinals, the pressure is on manager Carlo Ancelotti‘s team to bounce back and keep their title hopes alive against Barcelona.

Currently sitting four points behind league leaders Barcelona, Real Madrid is in dire need of a victory. The match will kick off at 9:00 PM local time as the team seeks to recover from a challenging month that has seen only one win in five games across all competitions, despite reaching the Copa del Rey final.

Athletic Club, currently positioned fourth in LaLiga, is on a resurgence after a victory against Rayo Vallecano, ending a streak of three consecutive scoreless draws in league play and the Europa League. Manager Ernesto Valverde‘s team will be determined to maintain their standing and fend off the fifth-place Villarreal, which trails by six points but has a game in hand.

The stakes are high on both sides as Real Madrid has not lost at home to Athletic Club in their last 19 encounters in LaLiga, with 16 wins and three draws. However, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Athletic in their previous meeting this December, raising the stakes for the upcoming match.

“We’re all hurting from the Champions League exit. We just need to focus on the next game,” Ancelotti stated in a pre-match press conference. “Every match in this league is crucial, especially against a strong team like Athletic.”

The Athletic squad will be without key player Nico Williams due to a pubic injury, but they bring a solid away record, having lost only three times in this campaign. Valverde highlighted the importance of maintaining focus despite the pressure surrounding the game, especially with their consistent performance in league play this season.

“The situation for us is good, but we know how challenging it is to play at the Bernabéu,” Valverde remarked. “We need to continue building on our recent performances and take advantage of every opportunity.”

Fans will have several options to watch the match live on M+ LaLiga TV and other sports channels. The match will provide a crucial test for both teams as the season nears its final stretch, heightening the rivalry between two clubs with rich histories in Spanish football.

In recent weeks, criticism has swirled around Real Madrid’s star players, notably Kylian Mbappé, who remains sidelined due to suspension and injury. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior‘s form has also been questioned as the team faces the tough task of regaining their footing in LaLiga.

As the match approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Real Madrid can put the turmoil behind them and rise to the occasion or if Athletic Club will continue their impressive run against their archrival.