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The meringues resume their campaign in La Liga with another great test, at home against Unai Emery’s team
After an exciting international break, attention returns to La Liga this weekend, as Real Madrid travel to Villarreal.
It is not an exaggeration to say that this is one of the most important games that Zinedine Zidane and his team will face between now and the end of the year, a period that will surely prove crucial in their bid to win the 35th Spanish league title.
After looking like they changed their form with a 3-1 win at Barcelona in the October Classic, Real have a point to prove once again after they were humiliated 4-1 in Valencia earlier this month.
In this sense, the international break came at a bad time, denying them the possibility of recovering quickly, but the meringues will be eager to respond strongly when they go to Villarreal on Saturday.
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It will not be an easy encounter, with the Yellow Submarine currently second in the top flight.
Unai Emery is busy rebuilding his reputation in Castellón after a probationary period at Arsenal, and is currently getting the best of a talented group that can certainly damage rival defenses.
The former Gunners manager, however, has a poor record against Real and Zidane as he lost all three games against them, either with Sevilla or Paris Saint-Germain.
Real Madrid definitely need to improve at the rear if they want to keep a clean sheet away from home, with Villarreal’s passing game among the most refined in the league so far this season.
Last season, Los Merengues’ rear held firm to get over the line when Barcelona shed the title, but so far this season it has been an area of concern for Zidane.
It is not an exaggeration to say that it is imperative that Real use the clash at Estadio de la Cerámica this weekend to reassert their position as title favorites and reassert themselves in the championship race.
Despite sustaining a muscle injury during the Valencia defeat, Karim Benzema should be fit enough to play Villarreal, having returned to the gym on Wednesday.
It will be a huge boost, having scored at least one goal in each of his last four games across all competitions, five in total. He hasn’t scored in five straight games since April 2019, but can he replicate that impressive feat this time around?
The news is much grimmer for Fede Valverde, who suffered a broken leg against Valencia and will be out of action for several months, while Ferland Mendy could be considered a left-back if Zidane seeks to reorganize his backline after the defeat. from the last time.
Mendy – or Marcelo’s performance against Villarreal right-back Samuel Chukwueze could be one of the defining matches of the match.
The Nigeria international has reportedly caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent transfer windows, including Manchester United, and previously demonstrated the potential to improve his game for big matches.
It remains to be seen if Eden Hazard and Casemiro will be available as they missed the Valencia match due to Covid-19, and if they play, it can give Real the advantage in the midfield battle.
Villarreal’s trio of midfielders, Vicente Iborra, Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo, is an area of strength, but can they keep Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Martin Odegaard at bay?
It is encouraging for Real Madrid that Villarreal did not win in this match, as Roberto Soldado inspired them to a win in the 2015-16 season, while the last three trips by the champions to La Cerámica have resulted in draws 2- 2.
Last season, Gareth Bale was the hero, scoring twice to save a point for Real, but Zidane will need another star to come to the fore this time.
