Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Rivalry: The Oldest and Most Intense Rivalry in Spanish Football
Athletic Club and Real Madrid are two of the most successful clubs in Spanish football, and their rivalry is one of the oldest and most intense in the world. The two teams have met over 200 times in official competitions, with Real Madrid holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record.
The rivalry between Athletic Club and Real Madrid dates back to the early days of Spanish football. Athletic Club was founded in 1898 by a group of British workers who were living in Bilbao, and they quickly became one of the most successful teams in the country. Real Madrid was founded in 1902 by a group of students, and they quickly rose to prominence as well.
The first meeting between Athletic Club and Real Madrid took place in 1903, and it was a close-fought affair that ended in a 1-1 draw. The two teams have met regularly ever since, and their rivalry has only intensified over the years.
The rivalry between Athletic Club and Real Madrid is often called “El Clásico Vasco” or “The Basque Classic”. This is because the two teams are from different regions of Spain: Athletic Club is from the Basque Country, while Real Madrid is from the capital city of Madrid. The rivalry is also fueled by the different political and cultural backgrounds of the two regions.
In recent years, Athletic Club and Real Madrid have met in some of the biggest matches in Spanish football, including the Copa del Rey final and the UEFA Champions League. The matches between these two teams are always hotly contested, and they are sure to produce plenty of excitement.
The next meeting between Athletic Club and Real Madrid will take place on March 31, 2024, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The match is sure to be a sell-out, and it is sure to be a classic.
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Here are some of the key facts about the Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Rivalry:
- The first meeting between the two teams took place in 1903.
- The two teams have met over 200 times in official competitions.
- Real Madrid holds a slight edge in the head-to-head record, with 100 wins to Athletic Club’s 91.
- The two teams have met in the Copa del Rey final 14 times, with Real Madrid winning 10 of those matches.
- The two teams have met in the UEFA Champions League 3 times, with Real Madrid winning all 3 matches.
- The next meeting between the two teams will take place on March 31, 2024, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
Here are some of the key players to watch out for in the Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Rivalry:
- Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club): Williams is a young and talented striker who is known for his pace and finishing ability. He is the all-time leading scorer for Athletic Club, and he is sure to be a threat to the Real Madrid defense.
- Karim Benzema (Real Madrid): Benzema is one of the best strikers in the world, and he is sure to be a handful for the Athletic Club defense. He is the all-time leading scorer for Real Madrid, and he has won the Ballon d’Or award.
- Mikel San José (Athletic Club): San José is a versatile midfielder who can play in a number of positions. He is a key player for Athletic Club, and he will be looking to disrupt the Real Madrid attack.
- Luka Modric (Real Madrid): Modric is one of the most experienced players in the world, and he is still capable of producing world-class performances. He will be looking to control the midfield and create chances for Benzema and Vinicius Jr.
The Athletic Club vs Real Madrid rivalry is one of the most intense in world football, and it is sure to produce plenty of excitement in the coming years.
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