Madrid are looking for Villarreal’s return to La Liga.
Spanish and European champions Real Madrid have started the season below their best and this week suffered their first defeat since January. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were beaten in the Champions League at Lille on Wednesday, leaving them three points behind Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in La Liga.
Madrid host Villarreal on Saturday to move level with their Catalan rivals at the top of the table for the first time this season..
Barca won their first seven matches, but ended up losing to Osasuna last week.
Madrid failed to win as they were held to a 1-1 draw by neighbors Atletico Madrid, but they could put pressure on Barca and face Alaves in the Sunday, with a win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
To achieve this goal against Villarreal, who are only one point behind Madrid in third place, they need to improve their game significantly.
Madrid lost in the north of France and lost for the first time in 37 matches in all competitions.
“When we lost in the derby (against Atletico) last year, it was a big shock and I hope this defeat can also be a wake up call,” Ancelotti said..
Madrid continue to struggle without midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who stepped down after helping the team to two La Liga titles and the Champions League.
Los Blancos also appear with Ukrainian goalkeeper Andrey Lunin between the sticks and Thibaut Courtois injured.
“We have to analyze and improve in the next game because there is no time — many games and wins,” Lunin said after the Lille loss.
Villarreal may be without Perez, who missed Monday’s win over Las Palmas with a muscle strain, and Gerard Moreno is also on the sidelines, but striker Tierno Barry is looking for form. alongside Marcelino García Tural..
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