Liga Preview: Real Madrid-Villarreal
Talk of a crisis is surely premature as Real Madrid entertain Villarreal at the Bernabeu this weekend.
Talk of a crisis is surely premature as Real Madrid entertain Villarreal at the Bernabeu this weekend.
"There is no loss of form, no crisis or anything, all we are seeing is something that happens throughout a season," coach Vicente Del Bosque told Marca.
For all his assured words this week, he must be slightly concerned. In last week's defeat at Santander they may have had plenty of possession but rarely looked at all threatening. Defensively, also, they were found wanting, and on another day Racing's Francisco Guerrero could have had a hat-trick. One miss in the second half was little short of criminal.
Some of the players didn't look ready for the fight and this was certainly something captain Fernando Hierro felt at the final whistle as he allegedly approached a number of the players in the tunnel and gave them a good old-fashioned dressing down.
Villarreal secured their first win last week, taking advantage of Deportivo's current slump to defeat them 3-1. Once they went a goal down, the Villarreal fans must have feared the worst but an own-goal from Cesar, a penalty from Victor (his first goal since the opening day) and a third from fine Brazilian import Belletti completed a marvellous victory.
New coach Benito Floro has plenty of time to get things right as he was only appointed a few weeks ago. With the quality at his disposal, though, he should keep the team in La Liga quite comfortably.
FORM GUIDE
Real Madrid Last Six Matches: DDWDLD
Surprisingly Real have won just one of their last six games, 5-2 against Alaves. They are fast turning into draw specialists, with single points gained against Valladolid, AEK (twice), and Betis. Del Bosque said last week's 2-0 defeat to Racing was the worst display since he took over.
Villarreal Last Six Matches: LLLDDW
Floro's men are unbeaten in three games, drawing against Racing Santander and Rayo Vallecano, before last week's superb win over Depor. Prior to these fixtures they were beaten by Hercules in the Cup, and Valladolid and Alaves in the league.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid: Figo remains on the sidelines through injury, although Raul has been recalled to the squad. He is likely to start on the bench, though, so the Merengues should be unchanged from the team that flopped at Racing.
PL (4-2-3-1): Casillas, Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Makelele, Cambiasso; McManaman, Zidane, Guti, Ronaldo.
Villarreal: Arruabarrena and Josico are both doubtful with knocks. Berruet may take over from Unai at centre-back. Victor and Palermo will continue their partnership in attack, with the latter not having scored yet.
PL (4-4-2): Reina, Quique Alvarez, Berruet, Ballesteros, Arruabarrena, Belletti, Marcos Senna, Josico, Jorge López, Víctor, Palermo.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)- the Frenchman had little joy against Racing last week but when he performs well at the Bernabeu so too, usually, do Real.
Belletti (Villarreal)- the Brazilian has impressed down the right since arriving at the beginning of the season. He netted his second goal for the club in last week's win over Depor.