How Mbappé Faces Biggest Test Amid Real Madrids Draw Streak

Real Madrid vs Athletic Club represents a crucial La Liga clash at San Mamés tonight. Mbappé leads Los Blancos seeking to escape their worst form streak of the season against a dangerous opponent.

🔥 Quick Facts

• Real Madrid has drawn three consecutive La Liga matches for the first time under Xabi Alonso’s management
• Mbappé has scored 14 La Liga goals and leads the Champions League with 9 goals this season
• Athletic Club sits eighth in the table after defeating Levante 2-0 on the road
• Tonight’s match starts at 7:00 PM CET at San Mamés stadium in Bilbao, Spain

Real Madrid’s Crisis Moment Demands Immediate Response Tonight

Xabi Alonso’s side arrives at San Mamés in their worst moment since taking over the club in summer 2025. Three consecutive La Liga draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona have cost Real Madrid the top spot in the standings. The 1-1 draw with Girona on November 30 highlighted their struggles away from the Bernabéu.

This marks Real Madrid’s sixth consecutive away game, a stretch that coincided with the team’s extended absence from their home stadium due to the NFL event. The club has collected just 3 points from a possible 9 in their last three La Liga matches, triggering pressure on the coach despite his team maintaining a respectable overall record of 10 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss through 14 games.

Mbappé Continues Blistering Run While Real Madrid Struggles Around Him

Kylian Mbappé announced his frustration on Instagram following the Girona draw, visibly upset despite scoring the penalty that salvaged a point. The French forward has been Real Madrid’s shining light in a difficult period, scoring 5 goals in his last 2 games across all competitions.

Mbappé’s individual form contrasts sharply with the team’s collective struggles. His 14 La Liga goals and 9 Champions League goals make him the competition leaders, yet Real Madrid’s defensive solidity and midfield creativity have deteriorated. The dependency on Mbappé to carry the offense has become increasingly apparent, with teammates struggling to provide consistent support and chance creation.

Athletic Club Seeks to Build Momentum Against Struggling Giants

Factor	Athletic Club	Real Madrid
League Position	8th Place	2nd Place
Recent Form	2 Unbeaten (1W-1D)	3 Consecutive Draws
Home Record	4W-1D-2L	N/A (Away Match)
Key Player	Gorka Guruzeta	Kylian Mbappé

Athletic Club bounced back from their heavy 4-0 defeat to Barcelona with a 2-0 victory over Levante and a goalless draw against Slavia Prague in the Champions League. Coach Ernesto Valverde has steadied the ship after a rocky spell, and his team will be encouraged by a packed San Mamés crowd.

However, substantial absences could derail Athletic’s ambitions. Iñaki Williams, Maroan Sannadi, Yeray, and Beñat Prados remain sidelined, while Robert Navarro suffered injury in their last match and Oihan Sancet faces suspension. The returns of Aymeric Laporte and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta provide some relief in defensive organization.

Xabi Alonso Faces Squad Changes and Tactical Adjustments

Real Madrid’s coaching staff is considering significant tactical shifts, including potentially reverting to a five-man defense to shore up vulnerabilities. Fede Valverde could operate at right-back in the absence of Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent poor performances.

Defensive reinforcements include the return of Raúl Asencio following a stomach virus, though Real Madrid remain without David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and Dean Huijsen. In midfield, competition between Camavinga and Ceballos for starting spots reflects the manager’s search for solutions to their creativity problems. Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham continue to draw scrutiny for inconsistent performances in this challenging period.

Can Real Madrid Stop the Bleeding Against In-Form Athletic at San Mamés?

San Mamés has always been a fortress for Athletic Club, creating an atmosphere that demands maximum energy and concentration from visiting teams. Real Madrid’s poor away form contrasts with their home dominance, making tonight’s clash particularly challenging in the midst of their current crisis.

The stakes are enormous—a loss or another draw would deepen the narrative of Madrid’s struggles, while a victory becomes mandatory to maintain title race credibility ahead of their historic fixture against Manchester City in the Champions League. Athletic Club’s improving trajectory and packed home crowd could exploit Madrid’s recent fragility, but Mbappé’s individual brilliance and the visitors’ quality suggest they retain the advantage despite their form concerns.

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.