Real Madrid, the reigning Spanish and European champions, started the season on a less than stellar note and this week finally suffered their first defeat since January. Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost to Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday and are three points behind Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in La Liga. Madrid remain on course for top spot after drawing level on points with their Catalan rivals for the first time this season against Villarreal on Saturday.
Los Blancos started their campaign with a draw at Mallorca on the first day of the season and have been playing catch-up ever since.
Barca won their first seven games in a row but finally fell short at Osasuna last weekend.
Madrid failed to make the most of their advantage as they were held to a 1-1 draw with neighbors Atletico Madrid, but a win at the Santiago Bernabeu could put the pressure on Barca, who visit Alaves on Sunday.
They will need to step up their performance significantly if they are to achieve this against an enterprising Villarreal side who are one point behind third-placed Madrid.
Madrid suffered their first defeat in 37 games in all competitions with the defeat in northern France.
“When we lost the derby last year (against Atletico) it was a fantastic wake-up call and hopefully this loss can be a fantastic wake-up call,” Ancelotti said.
“We did everything wrong: the ball, the transition, the intensity, we lost the duel… We have to look at everything soberly and improve, not throw everything away.”
Madrid could use Kylian Mbappe against Lille after a thigh injury and the French striker could start against Villarreal.
As powerful as the Yellow Submarines are, led by Spanish international Ayoze Perez, they have lost all their matches so far this season.
Madrid appear to still be struggling without midfielder maestro Toni Kroos, who retired after helping the team win La Liga and the Champions League.
Los Blancos will also line up with Ukrainian goalkeeper Andre Lunin with Thibaut Courtois out injured.
“We have to analyze and improve in the next game because we don’t have time. There are a lot of games and we have to win,” Lunin said after the loss to Lille.
Villarreal may be without Perez, who missed Monday’s win over Las Palmas with a muscle strain, and Gerard Moreno is also out, but striker Tierno Barry is finding form for Marcelino García Toral’s side.
The French striker scored and assisted Villarreal in their 3-1 win to move up to third place.
Girona and Atletico Madrid also suffered Champions League defeats on Wednesday and both play on Sunday against tricky Basque sides Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad respectively.
Notable players: Jesus Navas
The veteran Spanish wideman will feature in the Seville derby in the final game of his career, making him the most capped player in the clash’s history. He has made 27 appearances in those matches, level with Real Betis. Legend Joaquin Sanchez. Sevilla’s Navas, who turns 39 in November, is suffering from a long-term hip problem and is due to retire in December.
Key Statistics
4 – Barcelona have conceded four penalties in their last 15 league games.
27 – Las Palmas have used the most players in La Liga this season.
29 – Getafe’s big striker Christantus Uche has picked up more fouls than any other player.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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