Overview
Alvaro Arbeloa's time as head coach of Real Madrid will close this weekend, when Los Blancos finish the season with a home game against Athletic Bilbao.
Jose Mourinho is likely to be announced as Arbeloa's successor next week, marking the unexpected reappearance of the Portuguese strategist at the Bernabeu.
It is undeniable that this is a disappointing season for Real Madrid as the Royal team is empty-handed in all competitions. They are also sure to finish La Liga in second place, 11 points behind champion Barcelona. The Catalan team officially won the championship after winning the El Clasico match earlier this month.
However, Arbeloa's team still entered the final match with confidence after the 1-0 victory over Sevilla. Real Madrid continues to show impressive form at home this season when winning 46 points after 18 matches at the Bernabeu.
In the first leg earlier this season, Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0. In the 2024-2025 season, Los Blancos also won at least 1-0 when hosting the Basque representative at the Bernabeu.
Statistics show that Athletic Bilbao has not been able to defeat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu since January 2021. In their head-to-head history, the Royal team has won 125 matches after 249 encounters with Athletic Bilbao.
The away team entered this match after a 1-1 draw against Celta Vigo, the official result extinguished their slim hope of winning a ticket to the European Cup in the final round.
Athletic Bilbao has only won one point in the last 3 matches and is currently ranked 12th in the standings. The Basque team can equalize points with Getafe, who are seventh with 48 points. But due to inferior head-to-head record, the opportunity to participate in European competitions is almost gone.
This match will also be Ernesto Valverde's last time leading Athletic Bilbao before leaving the team in the summer. The person confirmed to replace him is Edin Terzic.
The German strategist has not coached any team since leaving Borussia Dortmund in June 2024. He will take over the coaching chair at San Mames under a contract valid until the summer of 2028.
Last season, Athletic Bilbao finished fourth in La Liga and won the right to participate in the Champions League. Therefore, the decline of the Basque team this season is considered disappointing.
Personnel situation
Vinicius Junior is likely not to participate in Real Madrid's final match, as the Brazilian striker is preparing to join the national team before the 2026 World Cup.
Besides, Rodrygo (knee), Arda Guler (hamstring), Eder Militao (hamstring) and Ferland Mendy ( thigh) will also be absent due to injury. However, captain Federico Valverde has been confirmed to be eligible to play.
On the opposite side, Athletic Bilbao also suffered significant losses in force before the trip to the Bernabeu. Nico Williams (hamstring), Oihan Sancet (muscle) and Yuri Berchiche (suspended) are definitely absent.
In addition, Unai Eguiluz (knee), Unai Gomez (muscle), Dani Vivian (ankle) and Benat Prados (knee) still need to be further assessed before the coaching staff makes a final decision about their ability to play.
Expected lineup:
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Brahim, Mbappe, Mastantuono.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Alvarez, Laporte, Boiro, Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, I. Williams, Navarro, Berenguer, Guruzeta.
The match between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao takes place at 2:00 a.m. on May 24 (Vietnam time).
