The new San Mames stadium welcome an in-form Real Madrid side on Wednesday, as Bilbao look to kick start their season with a victory. Since Bilbao moved in the new stadium, Real Madrid have failed to defeat them and would be quite eager to put the voodoo behind.
Bilbao had started the season with a 5-1 victory over Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana, but are now struggling in the league and will be aiming for a victory as they look to find some form. Bilbao will be hoping that Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldoa s poor run at the new San Mames continues for a few more seasons.
But Madrid have been scoring for fun, with sixteen goals in their past four matches, while their opponents have failed to breach the new defence under Rafael Benitez. Keylor Navas, who had linked to a transfer to Manchester United throughout the summer, is now on the verge of breaking a goalkeeping record at the club that has stood since 1975/76 season.
Real Madrid have a few injury concerns ahead of the match with Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez both confirmed to be missing out on the game, while Benitez would be waiting till the last moment for Sergio Ramos, who trained alone on Monday. Danilo, suffering from a foot injury, too would be missing out in this tricky fixture.
Although the Los Lones have some good news with the return of Ader Iturraspe, who was out since July, due to an hamstring injury. Iturraspe said to . Goal.com “I felt good during training, I was fine, I am available. We have a very important game. We need to win
“When it comes to playing Madrid it is always a big party, the atmosphere is always very good and will be better.”