Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Real Madrid CF (Copa QF)

The Copa returns to San Mamés and it does so in style with Athletic taking on current LaLiga leaders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

It will be the fourth time Los Leones and Los Blancos have met in the space of two months. After tasting defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final and their last two LaLiga matches, Athletic Club will be gunning for revenge as they set out to book a place in the semi-finals.

Both sides entered the tournament in the Round of 32 after receiving a bye. What’s more, both teams’ Round-of-16 clashes went the full 120 minutes, Athletic knocking out FC Barcelona, while Real Madrid came from behind to see off Elche in extra-time.

It will be another huge night at The Cathedral. The atmosphere and support at San Mamés will be vital as Marcelino’s Lions look to upset the odds once more.

Match Info
Real Madrid (Copa Quarter-Finals)

San Mamés (Bilbao)

Copa del Rey 2021/22

Thursday February 3, 21:30 CET

How to Watch

We’ve compiled a worldwide TV guide to help you watch the quarter-final from wherever you are in the world.

Team News

Marcelino has named a 22-man squad for the quarter-final. The major absences are forward Oihan Sancet, who picked up a knee injury in the Round-of-16 win over FC Barcelona, and midfielder Unai Vencedor, who has a hamstring injury.

However, in more positive news, striker Asier Villalibre is back in the list after a lengthy period on the sidelines with hamstring issues.

Marcelino’s Comments

Marcelino said support at San Mamés and accuracy in the final third will be crucial if Athletic Club are to defeat Real Madrid on Thursday night.

Catch up with what the Gaffer had to say at his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Real Madrid were founded on March 6, 1902. In their 120-year history, they have won the Copa 19 times. Real Madrid have not lifted the trophy since beating FC Barcelona 2-1 at the Mestalla in the 2013/14 season.

In addition to their Copa del Rey trophies, Los Blancos have won 34 La Liga titles, 11 Spanish Super Cups, 13 Champions Leagues, two UEFA Cups, seven Club World Cups and four European Super Cups.

Real Madrid’s most recent LaLiga outing was a 2-2 draw against Elche at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ancelotti’s side kicked off their 21/22 Copa campaign with a 1-3 win over CD Alcoyano in the Round of 32 before defeating Elche in extra-time in the Round of 16.

Previous Meetings
Athletic Club and Real Madrid have met a total of 57 times in the Copa. The total record reflects the evenly balanced nature of the matches, with Athletic having won 24, drawn eight and lost the other 25.

In terms of the 33 Copa clashes played in Bilbao, the Lions have won 20 and drawn twice, while Real Madrid have managed to come away with 11 victories. The last Copa match between the two sides at San Mamés came in the 2005/06 campaign, with a David Beckham goal giving the visitors a 0-1 win.

One of Athletic’s most iconic Copa duels with Real Madrid came in 1985, the two sides facing each other over two legs in the Round of 16. Real Madrid won the first leg 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu, but the Lions overcame the deficit to beat Los Blancos 2-0 at The Cathedral.

Andoni Goikoetxea kicked off the comeback with a 25-yard stunner, and in the video below he recounts what that night in San Mamés was like.