Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti talked about the “two minutes of madness” that almost cost them victory in the match against Union Berlin (3-2) in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Despite some individual mistakes, they do enough to maintain their mark. However, last weekend in La Liga was different the “Los Blancos” drew with Real Betis (1-1) and start the round two points below the unexpected leader, Girona. The “Los Blancos” are under a bit of pressure and in a heightened state of readiness, as Villarreal is the last team to have beaten them at the Santiago Bernab?u. After the April defeat with a score of 2-3, Ancelotti’s team hasn’t lost here in 12 matches in La Liga, conceding only once in the last five duels. Vinicius Junior, Militao, Gulherme, Courtois, Carvajal, and Camavinga, who has a knee injury, won’t be able to play today.
In this season, Villarreal has had its ups and downs, but they come into this match on a high after a 3-2 victory over Rennes on Thursday, securing first place in their UEFA Europa League group. This may give the “Yellow Submarine” hope for improvement to win at least one of their last five La Liga matches and repeat last season’s excellent victory over the “Los Blancos.” However, Valencia has won only one away match in La Liga as an underdog. Nevertheless, Villarreal has become one of the few teams in the championship to earn more points away than at home. Two of those points came from Madrid clubs Rayo Vallecano and Getafe, although in November, they lost to Atletico Madrid. Out of play today are Mandi, Coquelin, Suarez, Pino, Foyth, and Comanenza, who has an ankle injury.