This Saturday, on the twenty-eighth matchday of LaLiga, Real Madrid visits Villarreal at the Cerámica, where they have not won since the 2016-17 season with a record of one defeat and six draws and a 4-4 draw as the most recent result with a poker of goals from Alexander Sorloth for the home side.
With the euphoria of the Champions League still fresh in the memory, it is now time for Real Madrid to put on their work clothes and get back into the fight for La Liga. Due to the suspension of the match between Barça and Osasuna following the death of Barça’s doctor Carles Miñarro, Real Madrid moved level on points with Barça and into second place on goal difference. The third in discord, Atlético de Madrid, lost to Getafe, leaving them in third place, one point behind the other two.
The Atlético de Madrid-Real Madrid Champions League round of 16 second leg at the Metropolitano was a very intense and controversial match. The rojiblancos equalized the tie after 30 seconds with a goal from Gallagher, but neither side was able to tip the balance in regulation time or in extra time. Everything would be decided in the penalty shootout, with the odds falling in favor of the Whites amid the controversy.
As for the domestic competition, the Whites beat Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu in their last league game, while Villarreal are not having their best moment. Last weekend they lost to Alavés and will do everything possible to avoid dropping any more points. They are currently fifth, with Athletic, who are in the Champions League places, 5 points behind, the groguet have a game in hand, and below them Real Betis are pressing with 41 points.
Real Madrid’s casualties
Real Madrid has been marked by injuries all season. To that bad run we must add this week another mishap with the injury of Ferland Mendy in the Champions League match that will make him miss several matches including the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. On the other hand, the injured Caravajal, Militao, Dani Ceballos and Vallejo will also be absent.
Possible Real Madrid XI
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defense: Fran García, Alaba, Asencio, Lucas Vázquez
Midfielders: Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham;
Forwards: Rodrygo, Vinícius and Mbappé
The Villarreal absences
Kiko Femenia is on the mend and will not be playing, while Gerard Moreno is still injured and is a significant loss. The other one who won’t be there either and won’t be until May is Ilias Akhomach, who injured his anterior cruciate ligament.
Possible Villarreal XI
Goalkeeper: Diego Conde
Defense: Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, Cardona
Midfielders: Gueye, Parejo, Baena, Yéremy Pino
Forwards: Pepé and Ayoze