Real Madrid will look to bounce back from yet another disappointing performance in El Clasico with a home fixture against Athletic Bilbao.

The La Liga table-toppers suffered through another second-half tumble against arch rival Barcelona in their most recent tilt, the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Los Leones had little trouble dispatching Mallorca, 2-0, behind goals from Fernando Llorente and Iker Muniain.

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Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

When: Sunday, January 22nd at 3:30 p.m. EST

Watch: TBA

Live Stream: TBA

 

Player to Watch for Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo

137282278_crop_650x440 Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

Hello, my name is Cristiano Ronaldo. I've scored 21 goals and tacked on six assists for Real Madrid, one of the best and richest clubs on the face of the planet. I'd probably be the best footballer in the world if not for that runty, Argentinian hobbit (and those other meddling kids) over in Catalonia.

Oh, and I'm devilishly handsome and filthy rich. In other words, I'm the man you wish you smelled like. 


Player to Watch for Athletic Bilbao: Fernando Llorente

131656581_crop_650x440 David Ramos/Getty Images

Fernando Llorente ain't too shabby, either. The 26-year-old Pamplonian leads Los Leones with nine goals in 23 total appearances this season, including six scores in 15 La Liga matches. "El Rey Leon" has notched four goals in 11 career matches against Los Blancos, two of which have resulted in victories for Athletic.


What They're Saying

Not surprisingly, Real Madrid are all over the news amidst the January transfer window. Rampant rumors suggested that Kaka, the former FIFA World Player of the Year, would be on his way to Paris St-Germain.

The Brazilian midfielder has denied reports that he was due for a reunion with former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti in France, telling his side of the story via Twitter:

Screenshot2012-01-19at2
Screenshot2012-01-19at2

Kaka has struggled through injuries since arriving at the Bernabeu from the San Siro on a £56 million transfer in June of 2009. 


Prediction: Real Madrid 4, Athletic Bilbao 1

Real Madrid won't be shy to take out their El Clasico-related frustrations on Athletic on Sunday. Los Blancos have done well bouncing back from losses to Barca of late, outscoring the opposition 14-2 in their last three post-Blaugrana blowouts.