MADRID - Real Madrid's 11-match unbeaten run has lifted confidence and closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but their form faces a stern test at Athletic Bilbao's new San Mames stadium on Sunday.
The Basque club, fiercely proud of their heritage and always keen to thwart their detested rivals from the capital, are fourth, largely thanks to their record at home where they have won 11 and drawn two in front of their passionate supporters.
They are the only team who have beaten champions Barca - a 1-0 success at the San Mames last month - and Real's task may be made even harder as Bilbao will still be smarting after being dumped out of the King's Cup by Atletico on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real side have not been tested since they needed a late winner to secure a 3-2 victory at Valencia at the end of last month, but another victory on Sunday would be a big fillip as they head towards a key stage of the season in La Liga, the King's Cup and the Champions League.
Defeat could see them fall four points behind in the title race and burst the bubble of optimism that has grown around the club in recent weeks.
"It's very important," Ancelotti told a news conference after Real's midweek 1-0 win at home to Espanyol secured their place in the Cup semifinals.
"It's a tricky match because Athletic are playing very well at the moment and everyone knows playing at the San Mames is not easy. But it's a good time for us to be playing there."
Ancelotti may be without record signing Gareth Bale for the trip north.
The Wales winger, whose first season in Spain has been disrupted by minor injuries, had to come off at half time in last weekend's 2-0 win at home to Granada due to a problem with his left leg and missed the Cup game against Espanyol.
Ancelotti said if Bale was unavailable, forward Jese would likely be deployed up front alongside regulars Cristiano Ronaldo, the Fifa Ballon d'Or winner and La Liga top scorer with 22 goals, and Karim Benzema.
Barca and Atletico, who top the table on 54 points from 21 matches, with Real a point back in third, also have potentially tricky games this weekend, with Barca hosting mid-table Valencia tomorrow and Atletico at home to sixth-placed Real Sociedad on Sunday.
"We know that playing Valencia here is always tough," Barca playmaker Andres Iniesta told reporters after Wednesday's King's Cup quarterfinal success against Levante.
Bilbao can burst Real's bubble
MADRID - Real Madrid's 11-match unbeaten run has lifted confidence and closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but their form faces a stern test at Athletic Bilbao's new San Mames stadium on Sunday.
The Basque club, fiercely proud of their heritage and always keen to thwart their detested rivals from the capital, are fourth, largely thanks to their record at home where they have won 11 and drawn two in front of their passionate supporters.
They are the only team who have beaten champions Barca - a 1-0 success at the San Mames last month - and Real's task may be made even harder as Bilbao will still be smarting after being dumped out of the King's Cup by Atletico on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real side have not been tested since they needed a late winner to secure a 3-2 victory at Valencia at the end of last month, but another victory on Sunday would be a big fillip as they head towards a key stage of the season in La Liga, the King's Cup and the Champions League.
Defeat could see them fall four points behind in the title race and burst the bubble of optimism that has grown around the club in recent weeks.
"It's very important," Ancelotti told a news conference after Real's midweek 1-0 win at home to Espanyol secured their place in the Cup semifinals.
"It's a tricky match because Athletic are playing very well at the moment and everyone knows playing at the San Mames is not easy. But it's a good time for us to be playing there."
Ancelotti may be without record signing Gareth Bale for the trip north.
The Wales winger, whose first season in Spain has been disrupted by minor injuries, had to come off at half time in last weekend's 2-0 win at home to Granada due to a problem with his left leg and missed the Cup game against Espanyol.
Ancelotti said if Bale was unavailable, forward Jese would likely be deployed up front alongside regulars Cristiano Ronaldo, the Fifa Ballon d'Or winner and La Liga top scorer with 22 goals, and Karim Benzema.
Barca and Atletico, who top the table on 54 points from 21 matches, with Real a point back in third, also have potentially tricky games this weekend, with Barca hosting mid-table Valencia tomorrow and Atletico at home to sixth-placed Real Sociedad on Sunday.
"We know that playing Valencia here is always tough," Barca playmaker Andres Iniesta told reporters after Wednesday's King's Cup quarterfinal success against Levante.
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