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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga | Gameweek 1
Aug 12, 2023 at 8.30pm UK
San Mames Barria
Real Madrid logo

Athletic Bilbao
0 - 2
Real Madrid


Muniain (4'), Vivian (67'), Williams (87')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Rodrygo (28'), Bellingham (36')
Alaba (76')

Eder Militao suffers knee injury in Real Madrid win

Eder Militao suffers knee injury in Real Madrid win
© Reuters
Real Madrid defender Eder Militao suffers a sprained knee during his side's 2023-24 La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao is facing a spell on the sidelines due to the knee injury that he suffered during his side's 2023-24 La Liga opener on Saturday night.

Los Blancos started their campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames, with Rodrygo opening the scoring in the 28th minute before Jude Bellingham doubled the away side's advantage eight minutes later.

The win came at a cost, though, with key defender Militao being forced off in the early stages of the second period due to a knee injury.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the match that the Brazil international had "sprained his knee", and he will now undergo tests to determine the extent of the damage.

"He sprained his knee. It doesn't look good and we will assess it in the next few hours. Hopefully, it's nothing serious. We're concerned and we're not ruling anything out," Ancelotti told reporters.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring against Athletic Bilbao on August 12, 2023© Reuters

Real Madrid have already lost their number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a serious knee injury, with the Belgium international set to miss the whole of the season after damaging his ACL.

Meanwhile, new signing Arda Guler could also be forced to undergo a knee operation in the near future.

The capital giants were able to open their campaign with a win, though, and Ancelotti has praised his team for their performance in the two-goal success.

"We played well, especially in the first half, when we showed a lot of intensity. In the second half, we slowed down and had less control, but we did well at the back," he told reporters after the clash.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti pictured on July 23, 2023© Reuters

"It's evident that when the team is collectively committed and has the right attitude, we are stronger defensively. The team was well positioned and strong in the duels.

"In the first half, we won back a lot of balls. The team is comfortable playing this way and we worked really well defensively."

Ancelotti also praised Andriy Lunin, with the Ukrainian given the nod between the sticks due to Courtois's absence, but he will soon face competition from another goalkeeper, with Kepa Arrizabalaga widely expected to arrive on loan from Chelsea.

"He's done really well. He was very calm and focused. He moved the ball well from the back and he was good with the high balls. He showed confidence and concentration," said the Italian.

Real Madrid, who are also currently missing Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy through injury, will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in the new season when they travel to Almeria on August 19.

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Athletic Bilbao
12.1%
Draw
15.0%
Real Madrid
72.9%
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Thibaut Courtois in action for Real Madrid on August 10, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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