Different results for Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao as Champions League returns

MADRID, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid and Athletic Club Bilbao both play at home in the Champions League on Wednesday night with Real Madrid aiming to continue its 100 percent record at home to Juventus and Athletic looking for its first point in the tournament when it faces Qarabag FC.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has a major doubt over the fitness of central defender, Dean Huijsen for the game, while David Alaba is set to miss out with a muscle strain and midfielder Dani Ceballos is also injured.

The good news is that Trent Alexander Arnold and Dani Carvajal are both closing in on full fitness and one of the pair should be able to play.

Alonso will be aware that his side entertains FC Barcelona in La Liga on Sunday afternoon and with 24 hours less recovery for his players, he will be hoping to be able to give players such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr some rest ahead of the weekend.

The start to Athletic Bilbao's return to the Champions League has been affected by injuries to key players such as Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet, with the Basque side losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal and 4-1 away to Borussia Dortmund.

Sancet and Williams are both available on Wednesday against Azerbaijani club, Qarabag, who may be considered an underdog, but has started the Champions League with a win away to Benfica and a home victory against Copenhagen.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde has so far seemed to give more importance to his side's La Liga matches, rotating his squad in Europa, and that will mean players such as Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue, Andoni Gorozabal and Mikel Vesga could all start, while impressive youngster Alejandro Rego could also be in the starting 11.

Valverde recently complained about the fixture calendar that sees his side back in action on Saturday afternoon with less than 70 hours recovery time and that will be another factor in his team selection. ■