Carvajal and Alaba named as starters for Real Madrid’s La Liga finale

Real Madrid entered the final day of the 2025-26 La Liga season with Dani Carvajal and David Alaba lined up to start against Athletic Club on Saturday night, according to a match preview published by AS USA. The report said both defenders were set to begin the game at the Santiago Bernabéu as part of a farewell occasion, while Federico Valverde returned to the squad after his altercation with Aurélien Tchouaméni. (en.as.com) Real Madrid’s official website said the match was scheduled for 9:00 p.m. CEST at the Bernabéu. Athletic Club’s official site listed the same kickoff time for the Matchday 38 fixture in Madrid. (realmadrid.com) ### Why are Carvajal and Alaba the focus before kickoff? AS USA said Carvajal and Alaba were expected to start as Real Madrid closed their league campaign at home. (athletic-club.eus) The report framed both selections as part of the night’s goodbye atmosphere, with Carvajal’s farewell given particular emphasis. Real Madrid’s official homepage also underscored that tone on Saturday, carrying separate items labeled “Official Announcement: Carvajal” and “Official Statement: Alaba,” alongside the match build-up for Athletic Club. The club homepage also carried coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s line that the team wanted to “say goodbye to the fans by giving them a victory.” ### What did the club say about the match timing and setting? (en.as.com) Real Madrid said in its pre-match training coverage that the team would host Athletic Club on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. CEST. The club placed the fixture at the Bernabéu as the final league match of the season. Athletic Club’s official match page matched those details, listing Real Madrid against Athletic Club for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 21:00 at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. (en.as.com) Athletic’s squad announcement repeated that the game would be played on Saturday night at the Bernabéu. ### Where does Valverde fit into the pre-match picture? (realmadrid.com) AS USA said Federico Valverde returned after his altercation with Tchouaméni and was back in the pre-match picture for Real Madrid. The report presented his availability as one of the notable selection points alongside the planned starts for Carvajal and Alaba. (realmadrid.com) AS USA’s live lineup page later showed Valverde among the substitutes rather than in the starting XI, while Carvajal and Alaba both appeared in the confirmed lineup. That page listed Real Madrid in a 4-3-3 shape with Carvajal at right back and Alaba in defense. ### What was at stake for each side on the final day? (athletic-club.eus) LaLiga’s standings page showed Real Madrid in second place on 83 points after 37 matches going into the final round. The title had already been settled, and the game served as Madrid’s closing league fixture of the season. Athletic Club’s official site treated the trip as its final match of the 2025-26 league season and said Ernesto Valverde had called 23 players for the trip to Madrid. (en.as.com) The club’s match page linked the squad announcement directly to the final-round meeting at the Bernabéu. ### Who was available for Athletic Club? Athletic Club said on Friday that Ernesto Valverde had selected 23 players for the match against Real Madrid. (en.as.com) The club did not frame the squad note as a ceremonial occasion, instead presenting it as the standard call-up for Matchday 38. (laliga.com) Saturday’s next step was straightforward: Real Madrid and Athletic Club were due to kick off at 21:00 local time at the Santiago Bernabéu, with the official club sites and LaLiga match pages carrying the fixture details. (realmadrid.com) (athletic-club.eus)