Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid: One of the oldest rivlaries in Spanish football

Spanish Football / Dan Fitch / 25 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Woe betide traitorous phyisios this weekend as the ideologies of Basque separatism and Spanish unity come face to face on the football field, writes Dan Fitch.

If you were a fan of Real Madrid and got the chance to run onto the pitch and ask for the jersey of your hero Iker Casillas, you'd take it wouldn't you? That's just what Sebastian Truyols did last weekend, but unfortunately for him, he's paid for his actions with his job.

The reason that Senor Truyols was given his marching orders was a justifiable one. You see, Truyols held the position of Atletico Madrid physiotherapist and the club's hierarchy were not best pleased when he ran onto the pitch to collect his memorabilia, just seconds after Atletico had lost 2-1 to Real, courtesy of a 97th minute goal.

Atletico have predictably denied being anti-Madridistas. Why can't they just be honest and say that because they have a huge inferiority complex and it is now nine seasons since they beat Real, they just couldn't bring themselves to allow such a traitor to remain within their ranks?

If football clubs were run by fans, rather than politicians and businessmen looking to raise their own profile, then it would be possible for Real to hit back in an equally puerile manner. Real Madrid's response to this furore should be to appoint Sebastian Truyols as their physio, whilst insisting of course that he wears his favour Iker Casillas shirt at all times whilst on club duty. Sadly, everyone's far too grown up and 'above' petty squabbling to make my dreams a reality.

The good news is that Real Madrid never have to go very long before meeting another side that absolutely hates them. This week they host Athletic Bilbao with whom they share one of the oldest rivalries in Spanish football. This dates back to the days when Bilbao's policy of only fielding Basque players didn't have a detrimental impact on their success on the pitch. Athletic won four La Liga titles between 1930 and 1936, one more in both the 1940s and 50s, as well as winning back to back titles in 1983 and 84.

Now that the top European leagues are awash with the best talent from around the world, it is surely impossible for Bilbao to repeat the successes of their past. But if a rivalry with Madrid no longer exists in terms of titles, it is still alive and kicking for what it represents politically. Real serve as a symbol of a united Spain, ill at odds with the Basque separatist politics of Bilbao's fans.

As I've said though, Real Madrid are no strangers to tense atmospheres and proved so in beating Atletico at the Calderon last week. Real took the lead after just 40 seconds through Van Nistlerooy, who then got himself sent off along with Atletico's Luis Perea. After much trying, Atletico finally found an equaliser in the 90th minute through Liverpool's tormenter in chief, Simao. The celebrations were short lived though, as Real won a last gasp penalty, which Gonzalo Higuain converted.

Van Nistlerooy was on target again in midweek against out of form Juventus, but Madrid still lost the match 2-1. So they will be looking to bounce back to winning ways against a Bilbao side that will also be trying to avoid successive defeats, having lost last week's La Liga clash with Barcelona 1-0.

The defeat left Athletic hovering just outside of the relegation zone in seventeenth position. Athletic, along with Barca and Real, have never been relegated from Spain's top division, which given the policies of the club, is an achievement of which they are rightly proud.

They may have to take a brief sojourn into that relegation zone, as they face a side in Real that have won the last eight encounters between the two. On the positive side, Athletic should welcome back Javi Martinez and Joseba Exteberria from injury. Real have Van Nistlerooy suspended, so should pair Higuain with Raul.

Real Madrid are the overwhelming favourites at [1.3], with the draw [6.4] and Bilbao [13]. Real have been leading at half time in every one of their home victories this season and the [1.78] for the half time/full time victory, seems better value than the outright market.

Madrid's last six matches have all broken the 2.5 goals mark and a seventh can be backed at [1.61]. However, with Athletic having only been involved in two games breaking 2.5, from their seven La Liga matches, I think this might be worth a lay. I fancy a narrow Madrid win of either 1-0 at [8.8] or 2-0 at [7.6].