A yellow card for each team. First it's Toni Kroos for his clumsy challenge on Andoni Iraola, and then the goalscorer Aritz Aduriz, for his foul on Kroos just seconds after the referee had blown his whistle for an Athletic free-kick, which Real clear.

It's a deserve lead form Athletic, I have to say. They've been right on top of their game since the first minute.

Almost an instant reply from Real as Gareth Bale hits Isco's chipped through ball first time on the volley! But it hits Gorka Iraizoz's legs in the Athletic goal. And the flag was up for offside. Looked very tight though.

A spectacular power-header from Aritz Aduriz. He got across Pepe like the centre-back wasn't even there and timed his jump perfectly to meet the zenith of Mikel Rico's cross. Iker Casillas was always beaten, and threw himself across the goal at air as the ball sailed in the top corner.

When Ronaldo saw red in this fixture last year, you can't help but feel the crowd's reception will have played no small part.

Real are just starting to come into the game a bit more now though, working the ball with a better rhythm.

Although there are definitely general boos for the Real players as a whole, the San Mames crowd has already singled out Cristiano Ronaldo for special attention.

Every time the Portugal international gets the ball the volume increases, and so far he hasn't had much to smile about. Athletic's players have been quick to press, and Real have had little of the play.

Athletic's stocky striker Aritz Aduriz, under great pressure from Pepe and Raphael Varane, flashes a header wide after Athletic work the ball wide. Those two from Real are no pushovers themselves, and they dealt well with Aduriz's physical presence.

Gareth Bale half-heartedly chases a Toni Kroos through ball down the Madrid right, but they had their wires crossed there. Bale wanted it short.

Athletic have started by the brighter of these two. The home fans are in glorious form, booming their support as Bilbao press forward, and Mikel Rico has a shot blocked on the edge of the box by a desperate Marcelo.

Possession goes to Real and a towering chorus of boos rings out. Great stuff.

It's been a very quiet opening from Real's front three. Not much doing from Benzema, Ronaldo and Bale so far.

Spanish La Liga

Image source, AFP

Earlier this afternoon in La Liga, Sevilla edged a 4-3 thriller away to Deportivo La Coruna. Sevilla had looked to be cruising to victory when a brace from Vitolo and a Kevin Gameiro penalty put them 3-1 up.

But a late flurry of goals saw Deportivo fight back and Sevilla were hanging on in the final few minutes after an injury time penalty from Lucas had reduced the deficit to just one goal.

Russian Premier League

Image source, Getty Images

The Russian top flight returns this weekend after a very long, and very necessary, winter break.

Leaders Zenit St Petersburg are just getting under way at home to Ural, but already their cushion at the top of the table has been cut to four points, after CSKA Moscow beat Terek Grozny earlier today.

Athletic striker Aritz Aduriz is hassling the Real centre-backs as the home side begin to press higher up the pitch. They win a corner but Iker Casillas can gather easily. Athletic pose plenty of danger from set-pieces too, they've got some really imposing players.

All the early possession is with Real as Athletic begin with players deep behind the ball. Cagey stuff so far, but Athletic pose a serious threat on the break though Iker Muniain.

French Ligue 1

This one should be a home banker for Laurent Blanc's side, with Lens winless in their last 10 games in all competitions, and PSG lead through David Luiz's first-half strike.

Should they win, PSG will stay at the summit until at least tomorrow night when current leaders Lyon travel to Montpellier. Fourth-placed Monaco have an away clash with Evian later on this evening.

The second half is just getting under way at the Parc des Princes.

We are under way at San Mames.

Image source, Karim Benzema

It's true Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in this fixture last year, but he did score a hat-trick as Real ran out 5-0 winners in the first meeting between these sides this season. Still, atmosphere can play a big role in a game and the home fans at Athletic are known to be boisterous.

Today we'd like to know about the beginnings of your love for European football - this could be the first time you ever went to a European game, or the first European shirt you ever bought.

James Bunyan: Watched Bilbao v Barca to see a promising player called Lionel Messi. Susaeta stole the show and have followed Bilbao ever since.

Take it your going for a home win today James?

Get involved using #bbceurofooty, external on Twitter, or text us on 81111 (UK only) - don't forget to add your name and location. Extra points for photographic evidence.

All this talk about Ancelotti has got me thinking.

My view is that a man with such lustrous and versatile eyebrows should be given the freedom of the city, the Spanish equivalent of a knighthood, and a healthy mound of quality jamon to go with it.

Image source, EPA

Real ended 2014 on a record 22-match winning run, were crowned Club World Cup champions in December, and are looking likely to progress against Schalke in the Champions League last 16. And let's not forget - they are top of La Liga, leading Barcelona by two points.

But. They did lose to city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-0 in January, they did get knocked out of the Copa by Diego Simeone's side, and they do have to get a result against Barca in El Clasico at Camp Nou on 22 March.

Who'd be manager of Real Madrid?

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti makes one change from the team that could only draw 1-1 at home to Villarreal in their last La Liga outing on Sunday, with Asier Illarramendi coming in for Lucas Borges in midfield.

Athletic XI: Iraizoz, Iraola, Balenziaga, Etxeita, Gurpegui, Benat, Mikel Rico, De Marcos, Muniain, Aduriz, Williams.

Real XI: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Illarramendi, Isco, Kroos, Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema.

Image source, Getty Images

Carlo Ancelotti might have been forgiven for thinking that winning Real Madrid an elusive 10th European Cup title last year, not to mention the Copa del Rey, would have earned him a little bit of breathing space. Maybe even the confidence of the club's board, or the trust of the fans? Claro que no!

In his press conference yesterday, the Italian moved to defend his managerial record, ironically referencing the "weak arm" that has won him three Champions League titles after media reports suggested a number of fans view him as a soft touch.

"I have been coaching for years and am used to criticism", Ancelotti said.

"I have a lot of experience and with this 'weak' arm of mine I have managed to win three Champions Leagues", added the former Chelsea manager, who also won the competition twice with AC Milan, in 2003 and 2007.