With the international break out of the way, Real Madrid’s focus returns to club football this weekend. They will host Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu in a game that promises a lot to the neutrals.

With the title all but officially secure, Madrid will be keeping one eye on the clash against Manchester City next week in the Champions League quarter-finals.

However, La Liga seems to have blessed Carlo Ancelotti, and other Spanish sides by not scheduling a game for next weekend.

This means, regardless of what happens in the Athletic clash, Madrid will have nine days to prepare for their game against Man City.

Pep Guardiola not happy about scheduling

City, on the contrary, play Arsenal today, then Aston Villa in two days, and if that was not enough, they also have Crystal Palace scheduled for 6th April, three days before the Real Madrid clash.

They will have to play six games across the next 17 games, including both legs of the quarter-finals against Madrid.

Guardiola is not happy. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“We play against Villa at 20:15, then at 12:30 against Crystal Palace on Saturday! Then go to Madrid on Tuesday. Real Madrid has nine days to prepare, nine days!”, Pep Guardiola said unhappily ahead of the Arsenal clash today, as quoted by AS.

“They play this weekend and they won’t until our game. The difference is a lot, I would like to ask for one more day but there is no possibility.”

Man City facing injuries

While Real Madrid have recovered Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, and Dani Ceballos ahead of the Athletic Club clash itself, Man City are nursing more injuries following the international break.

John Stones and Kyle Walker were the latest pair to pick up a knock while serving for England.

Ederson is also a doubt for the upcoming games, while Manuel Akanji’s place could be contentious, as well.