Real Madrid welcomed Athletic Bilbao to the Bernabeu on Saturday knowing that three points would take them above Atletico Madrid into second position in the La Liga table.
Javier Eraso cancelled out an early Cristiano Ronaldo strike to leave the two teams on terms entering the latter stages of the first period, but goals from James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos saw Real Madrid lead 3-1 at the break.
There were two more goals in the second period - one for Ronaldo, who made it 4-1 in the 87th minute after Raphael Varane had been sent off, but Bilbao had a second late on through Gorka Elustondo.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Athletic Bilbao. The home side just have to keep winning as they chase down Barcelona at the top of the table, but Bilbao will enter this match on the back of a three-game unbeaten run in the league, which has seen them rise into sixth spot. Let's hope for an entertaining clash in the capital!
HEAD2HEAD! Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 12 league games against Bilbao – winning 10 times in the process. Los Blancos have also won 10 successive league matches against the Basque side at the Bernabeu. Their last meeting in this stadium ended in a 5-0 Real Madrid win in October 2014, but Bilbao did record a 1-0 victory when the pair met at San Mames last season.
The two teams have, of course, also already met this season and Real Madrid collected all the points at San Mames with a 2-1 victory back in September. Sabin Merino cancelled out a first-half strike from Karim Benzema to leave the pair on terms, but Benzema completed his brace in the 70th minute to ensure that Los Blancos moved to the top of the table. This is a tough old game for Real Madrid.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Both managers had free weeks to prepare for this match, but both still have injury problems...
TEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Kovacic, Modric, Kroos; James, Benzema, Ronaldo
BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga; Benat, Iturraspe; Eraso, Merino, Lekue; Aduriz
So there we have it. Real Madrid are without the services of Marcelo for this match, which has allowed Danilo to come into the team at left-back, with Dani Carvajal on the opposite side. Gareth Bale's continued absence with a calf problem sees James Rodriguez keep his spot in the XI, but there is a change in midfield as Mateo Kovacic replaces Isco, who has dropped to the bench.
As for Bilbao, Markel Susaeta and Raul Garcia are still injured, while Inaki Williams and Mikel San Jose miss out through suspension. That has opened up spots in the team for youngsters Javier Eraso, Sabin Merino and Inigo Lekue, but the experienced Artiz Aduriz, who has scored 25 times this season, will lead the line. Highly-rated centre-back Aymeric Laporte is also in the away side's XI.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little under 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in the Spanish capital. As mentioned, a win for third-place Real Madrid would take them above Atletico Madrid and to within one point of the leaders Barcelona. That said, the current champions would then have two games in hand, which places them in a strong position at the summit.
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Real Madrid have not been beaten in La Liga since December 13, when they went down 1-0 at Villarreal. Since then, they have put together a strong run of form which has included six wins from eight matches. Zinedine Zidane took charge for the first time against Deportivo La Coruna on January 9 and the Frenchman's first outing as head coach ended in a thumping 5-0 win.
In fact, Zidane has been in charge of three Real Madrid games at the Bernabeu and his team have scored 16 times, which also included a 6-0 win over Espanyol in their last home match. Los Blancos have actually been victorious in their last six league games at the Bernabeu and managed to score an average of 5.5 goals per match in the process. That form, added to their strong Bernabeu record against Bilbao, who are without a number of key players for this match, makes them the overwhelming favourites here.
Real Madrid's away form has been a little patchy, however. The Madrid giants were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on January 24 and only just won (2-1) at struggling Granada last weekend. In truth, failure to beat Granada last time out would have all but ended their title challenge. It looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw, but a Luka Modric stunner late on secured all the points for Zidane's side.
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This is also Real Madrid's final league match before Champions League action returns. Los Blancos will travel to Roma for the first leg of their last-16 clash on Wednesday, before visiting Malaga next weekend. February 27 brings the small matter of a home game against Atletico, making it a vital few weeks.
As for Bilbao, they will enter this match off the back of a 0-0 draw with fourth-place Villarreal last time out, which followed wins over Eibar and Getafe. A total of 35 points from 23 matches has left the Basque club in sixth position in the table – just two points off fifth-place Sevilla. That said, Ernesto Valverde's side are still 10 points behind Villarreal as things stand, making the top four a tough ask.
Bilbao's recent away record has been pretty good – winning four of their last eight league games on their travels. They were thumped 6-0 at Barcelona last month, however, and will be keen to avoid a pasting in this match as they chase down the top four. There is no question that the visitors have the personnel needed to cause Real Madrid problems in this match, but Inaki Williams is a big miss.
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Like Real Madrid, Bilbao are also in European action next week as they prepare to travel to Marseille for the first leg of their last-32 clash in the Europa League. Their next two league games are against Real Sociedad (H) and Valencia (A) and you sense that they will need to take at least four points from those two to stay in touch with the top five. Kickoff is fast approaching in the Spanish capital.
Bilbao striker Aduriz has gone three games without a goal, but the 34-year-old will be confident of returning to scoring form in this match. The Spaniard has netted 25 times in all competitions for his Spanish club this season – including 13 in the league. Another strong performance against Real Madrid would further strengthen calls for the striker to be named in the Spain squad for Euro 2016.
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PREDICTION! Bilbao certainly have the ability to cause Real Madrid problems, but I am concerned about the number of important players that they have missing for this match. With a first-choice XI, they might well have fancied it, but looking at the two teams, I have to back Real Madrid 2-0.
A reminder of the two teams for this match...
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Kovacic, Modric, Kroos; James, Benzema, Ronaldo
BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga; Benat, Iturraspe; Eraso, Merino, Lekue; Aduriz
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Let's hope for an entertaining game of football from the capital. It is the home side that kick things off here...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. That might well change if Real Madrid were to go 1-0 down though! As expected, the home side have taken control of the early possession, with Varane and Ramos enjoying early touches at the back.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Bilbao (Ronaldo)
Well that did not take long. Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the third minute as Benzema slides a pass into Ronaldo, who beats his full-back before firing one into the top corner. Some finish!
Bilbao will have wanted to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes here without conceding a goal, but their game-plan has been thrown out of the window after that excellent strike from Ronaldo.
Better from Bilbao in the last minute or two as they work the ball into a wide position before Benat attempts to feed Aduriz, but the striker cannot escape the attention of Varane. The visitors just cannot afford to concede a second goal here, not this early. It would all but decide the match!
CHANCES! First real chance for the visitors as De Marcos whips a beautiful cross onto the head of Aduriz, but the striker's effort is just wide of the target. Real Madrid immediately break and a Ronaldo cross deflects to Kovacic inside the box, but his effort is deflected wide!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Bilbao (Eraso)
Wow! Bilbao level at the Bernabeu in the 10th minute of action as a mix-up between Varane and his goalkeeper allows Eraso to tap home from close range! Varane attempted to play the ball back to Navas, but the Costa Rican was not expecting it and Eraso was on hand to roll it home!
Well, this has been a cracking opening 14 minutes at the Bernabeu, with both teams committing numbers each time they break forward. Real Madrid are seemingly still stunned by that equaliser.
BOOKING! Etxeita (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
Ronaldo takes the resulting free kick, but his effort was always moving wide of the post.
BOOKING! Varane (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Aduriz.
It did appear that Real Madrid would run away with this first half after making such a strong start, but Bilbao have been very impressive since conceding the opener and are now on the front foot.
SAVE! Aduriz again rises highest inside the Real Madrid box to meet a super cross from Balenziaga, but Navas is on hand to make a fine stop! Bilbao are in control at the moment!
James gets bundled off the ball in a wide area, but the referee is not interested and Bilbao can carry it forward with Eraso. Safe to say that the home supporters are not best pleased with the special official at the moment, but Bilbao are almost bullying Los Blancos off the ball here.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid have started to move the ball quicker in the final third. Bilbao, though, have been strong defensively in Madrid.
SAVE! Danilo comes close to sending Real Madrid back into the lead from a close-range header, but the Brazilian is kept out by Iraizoz, who gets a very strong hand to the ball!
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Real Madrid have really started to force the issue in the last few minutes, but Bilbao are threatening on the counter due to the pace of Lekue and Sabin in wide positions and Aduriz so good at holding the ball.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and we are still level at 1-1. It must be said that this match has absolutely flown past. It is going to fast for my liking due to the entertainment!
CROSSBAR! Oh my word! Bilbao almost score a second as Aduriz pokes a low cross towards the top corner, but his effort hits the crossbar and bounces away from goal - wow!
Ronaldo beats two defenders before having a go, but it is comfortable for Iraizoz.
It is amazing just how open this match is at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Bilbao continue to look dangerous each time they break with pace and purpose.
CHANCE! Ronaldo finds space down the left and delivers into James inside the Bilbao box, but the attacker's goal-bound effort is blocked by Laporte. Wonderful defending there!
CHANCE! Good grief! Aduriz is down the left for the visitors and delivers into De Marcos, who has all sorts of space inside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is wide of the post.
You cannot take your eyes off this match at the moment as Aduriz has a penalty shout following a handball from Ramos, but the referee is not interested. I am not too sure what is happening to this Real Madrid defence at the moment, but it is so incredibly open every time the visitors break forward.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Bilbao (James)
What a super goal that is! Real Madrid regain the lead in the latter stages of the first period as James works a yard of space outside the Bilbao box before curling one past the diving Iraizoz.
Half-chance for Bilbao to level as Merino meets an excellent cross from Aduriz, but his effort is deflected over the crossbar by Carvajal. You just cannot take your eyes off this match!
Zidane predicted a tough test in this match and that has been the case thus far. Real Madrid might lead, but they have needed two excellent strikes from Ronaldo and James respectively. Bilbao have had a number of chances to add to Eraso's strike, but Real Madrid have had the luck in this match.
BOOKING! Balenziaga (Bilbao) is booked for a late challenge on James.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Bilbao (Kroos)
Real Madrid score a third just before the break as Ronaldo pokes the ball into Kroos, who turns and fires one past the Bilbao stopper. More power than direction, but it still found the back of the net!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Bilbao
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 3-1 courtesy of goals from Ronaldo, James and Kroos. Bilbao responded excellently to falling 1-0 behind and managed to level through Eraso in the 10th minute, but they have been hit with goals from James and Kroos in the latter stages of the first period. It was a wonderful first 45 minutes of action!
STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had nine attempts - six of which have been on target. Bilbao, meanwhile, have had their moments during an impressive first-half performance and have hit the target twice from nine attempts. It has also been a half full of spicy challenges and the referee has been forced to issue yellow cards on three separate occasions.
BENCH WATCH! Not that Real Madrid are in need of attacking reinforcements, but Zidane does have the likes of Isco, Jese Rodriguez and Lucas Vasquez on his bench here. Bilbao, meanwhile, are missing a number of first-team regulars for this match, but the talented Iker Muniain is on the bench.
One goal and one assist for a certain Cristiano Ronaldo in the first period...
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RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Bilbao find a route back into the match? It is the visitors that resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace in Madrid.
Just a reminder that three points for Real Madrid would move them into second position and just one point off the league leaders Barcelona. However, the Catalan giants and current champions would then have two games in hand - against Celta Vigo tomorrow and away to Sporting Gijon.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the early stages of this second period, but Bilbao are still committing both of their full-backs forward in a bid to find a second goal in the capital.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as De Marcos fells Benzema...
... Ronaldo strikes straight into the wall.
Bilbao are just being forced back at the moment as the home side continue to move the ball from left to right in the final third. Bilbao are still in this game at 3-1, but a fourth for Real Madrid would be game, set and match. Still more than 35 minutes of football to play at the Bernabeu here.
Bilbao are just finding it difficult to keep the ball at the moment and it is Real Madrid that are threatening to score the game's fifth goal. Still no movement on either bench, but you suspect that Muniain will be introduced sooner rather than later for the visitors, who are just struggling a touch.
Not a whole lot to discuss at the moment - no real chances, no real intention from either team to find another goal. It is comfortable for the hosts as they keep possession in the Bilbao half here.
BILBAO SUB! Bilbao make their first change as Elustondo replaces Iturraspe.
De Marcos breaks down the right for Bilbao before attempting to pick out a teammate inside the box, but the cross is too long for Aduriz and the home side manage to work the ball down-field.
Half-chance for Bilbao this time as Merino meets a super cross from Balenziaga, but his header was always moving wide of the post. Clever effort, but it was quite comfortable for Navas there.
Bilbao seem to have found a second wind from somewhere and they have once again started to cause problems with dangerous crosses into the Real Madrid box, but they have been creating half-chances rather than clear opportunities. Not too much from the home side in this second period.
Modric sets up Kovacic outside the Bilbao box, but his effort is over the crossbar.
SAVE! Bilbao once again take advantage of some poor defending from Real Madrid and Aduriz finds himself one-on-one with Navas, but the stopper is out to make the save!
REAL MADRID SUB! Nacho replaces Danilo for the home team.
BILBAO SUB! Muniain replaces Lekue for the visitors.
BOOKING! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Muniain.
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco comes on for Kovacic in Real's second change.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining at the Bernabeu and the home side still lead 3-1. The first period was very open and very entertaining, but the second half has been much quieter here.
The home supporters are in good voice as we approach the final stages of this match and they have good reason to be. As it stands, Real Madrid are moving into second spot above rivals Atletico.
Carvajal slides a low pass into James as Real Madrid threaten to score a fourth, but the ball just runs away from the Colombian and Bilbao can clear their lines once again. Still 3-1 here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez replaces James for the home team.
BILBAO SUB! Also a change for Bilbao as Viguera comes on for Merino.
Ronaldo once again drives away down the left, but his low strike is straight at Iraizoz.
RED CARD! VARANE!
Real Madrid are reduced to 10 men as Varane is handed his second yellow card following an aerial challenge with Aduriz. I am not sure about that, but the referee had no doubt in his mind!
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Bilbao (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have their fourth of the match in the 87th minute as Ronaldo collects a cross from Lucas before beating two defenders and finding the back of the net from inside the box.
A fourth goal is a little harsh on Bilbao, who played very well in the first period, but the home side are always so dangerous in the final third and Ronaldo is pretty much a guarantee of goals!
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Bilbao (Elustondo)
Bilbao have a second in stoppage time as Elustondo heads a super De Marcos cross into the back of the net. His header dropped right into the corner, leaving Navas with no chance there!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 4-2 Bilbao
So there we have it. A goal-fest in Madrid sees Real Madrid win 4-2 and move into second position in the La Liga table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
