Cup controversy to overshadow Real Madrid’s visit to Bilbao?

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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was keeping hiss cards close to his chest as his side prepares for the visit to play Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday afternoon.Real Madrid
Real Madrid need a win in order to assure they remain top of the BBVA Primera Liga after seeing their lead reduced to just two points by last weekend’s draw at home to Villarreal.
They will be hopeful of that against a rival which will have had just 68 hours to prepare for the match after their King’s Cup semi-final on Wednesday night and who could well be tired, despite the morale boost of having booked their place in a final against FC Barcelona.
That has brought controversy as both Athletic and Barcelona want to play that final in Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which is the neutral ground with the most capacity in Spain. However, everything points to the fact that Real Madrid, who define themselves as a ‘club of gentlemen’ will repeat their actions from 2012 when they refused permission for that to happen, meaning the final had to be played in the Vicente Calderon with 25, 000 less capacity.
Bearing this in mind, Real Madrid can expect at hostile reception in San Mames by a set of fans angry at yet another snub which means that yet again many of them will not be able to attend the final.
In playing questions, Ancelotti refused to say whether Asier Illaramendi, who Athletic tried to sign in January, will play in midfield, or whether Sami Khedira or Lucas Silva will get the nod, but confirmed that Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the attack.
Apart from tiredness Athletic have problems in central midfield where Ander Iturraspe is still recovering from a knee injury and his replacement Mikel San Jose is suspended. Carlos Gurpegui could push forward into the middle as Aymeric Laporte returns to the side after suffering from a virus. Enditem

Source: Xinhua

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