MX23RW : Thursday, January 9 03:25:25| >> :120:17357:17357:
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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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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid19134243192443
2Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia1826101728-1112
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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