MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 04:45:58| >> :120:7868:7868:
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Real Madrid logo
La Liga | Gameweek 28
Apr 8, 2023 at 8pm UK
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Villarreal logo

Real Madrid
2 - 3
Villarreal

Torres (16' og.), Junior (48')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Chukwueze (39', 80'), Luis Morales (70')
Pino (25'), Pedraza (35'), Foyth (69')

Real Madrid missing just one player for Villarreal clash

Real Madrid missing just one player for Villarreal clash
© Reuters
Real Madrid will again be without the services of Ferland Mendy for Saturday's La Liga clash with Villarreal.

Real Madrid will again be without the services of Ferland Mendy for Saturday's La Liga clash with Villarreal, as the French defender continues his recovery from a calf issue.

Mendy had only just returned from a muscular problem before it was confirmed that he had suffered a calf injury in training, and he faces a battle to be back before the end of the month.

However, the defender is Real Madrid's only absentee at this moment in time, with Rodrygo passed fit to feature despite concerns over a knee issue.

Various reports had suggested that the Brazil international would be rested for this match, with Real Madrid set to take on Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next week.

Rodrygo scores from the spot for Real Madrid on November 2, 2022© Reuters

However, the 22-year-old, who has scored 11 goals and registered 10 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions this season, has been named in the squad.

The only other notable team news involves Castilla forward Alvaro Rodriguez, who has not been selected for the first team despite being regularly included in recent weeks.

Mariano Diaz is named in the squad despite some fitness issues, while Eden Hazard will be hoping to feature following his involvement off the bench against Real Valladolid last weekend.

"We are fine. A bit tired, but no problem. We'll try to put out the best team to keep fighting in the league until the end," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

The Italian is expected to make changes to his starting side following Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, which booked their spot in the final.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match on January 15, 2023© Reuters

"I am very well. Calm and excited. With a lot of motivation because the team is doing very well. On a personal level, I don't have any problems. In games like Wednesday's, there's a lot of pressure and when they're over you just want to rest," Ancelotti added.

"It was an important game. The win against Barca allows us to play in a Copa del Rey final. I don't know where I put it in my coaching career. Maybe I do put it in my top ten in terms of the level of football, but I have very good memories of other games."

Real Madrid are 11 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table, but they could cut the gap to eight points with a win here, as Barcelona will not be in action until Monday night.

Real Madrid squad vs. Villarreal:

Courtois, Lunin, Lopes; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano

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Written by
Matt Law
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How you voted: Real Madrid vs Villarreal

Real Madrid
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Draw
8.8%
Villarreal
6.2%
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Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy pictured on September 3, 2022
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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