The Athletic defender showers light upon their encounters with Los Blancos, admitting that Bilbao have faced sending offs at their recent visits to the Bernabeu.
The Athletic player also confessed that in their recent meetings at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bilbao have struggled to finish the game with 11 players on the pitch.
As statistics speak, on third of the past four occasions in which the two sides have come across each other, one of the Athletic players have received their marching orders from the referee.
Santiago Bernabeu is believed to be a haunted ground for Los Leones in this aspect, and Iraola stated that this time they will try to end the game in a different manner than the recent past.
“At the Bernabeu, the balance of red cards is higher than normal, but it cannot be put down only to the referees, it has to be game by game and I have no doubt that the referee this weekend will do things correctly.”
Iraola emphasized that the current La Liga champions will be adequately prepared for the tight encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, and that Los Blancos are expected to be in a good shape.
The defender also stated that in terms of international call ups, Athletic have ma bigger disadvantage than the Madrid outfit, as several of the Real Madrid players did not turn up for the friendlies.
As reported, the Bilbao-based club had to see four of their players leave for international commitments.
“I am convinced that Real Madrid will be at the best they can be. This week you cannot say that the national call-ups have disadvantaged them, because some of theirs have not gone this time and we also have four players called out.”
Iraola further stressed that his side will not change their routine game plan, in wake of the recent match in which Levante caused the champions all sorts of problems, with their tough tackling approach.
The Bilbao-based club are currently sitting in the bottom half of the table and will be looking to climb several places if others result go their way, and they manage to salvage something from the difficult encounter.
Real still find themselves 8 points behind current league leaders, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604, and will have nowhere to hide if they drop further priceless points.
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