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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Mallorca199371921-230
6Villarreal177642928127
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Osasuna186752327-425
10Celta Vigo187382728-124
11Real BetisBetis176652021-124
12Sevilla186482027-722
13Rayo Vallecano175661920-121
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1743101629-1315
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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