Real Madrid V Villarreal

This particular fixture, last year or even couple of years ago, was mouth-watering for the quality of football both teams were capable of. This year, it may not be the same. This can well turn out to be a defensive match in which neither team will go for the kill.

Jose Mourinho will be unhappy with his team’s performance against Malaga, even though his post-match conference suggested otherwise. Malaga controlled the tempo of the game in the first half and were a treat to watch. And then, there was the stoppage time goal; a brilliant free kick by Santi Cazorla, from a dead ball situation. Real Madrid have been poor, compared to their lofty standards in attack, in defending set-pieces this season.

If the problems mentioned above are considered to be note-worthy, then Villarreal’s problems are impossible to solve. The team which played Champions’ League football this season have stooped to such lows that survival in the first division will be considered as an accomplishment from now on. They have sacked their second manager this season and appointed Miguel Angel Lotina, who does not share Villarreal’s vision for flair-football. It is very clear that Fernando Roig has appointed Lotina, a manager with more emphasis on defensive football than offensive, to stem the bleeding some how, some way.

Villarreal have lost their last three matches including against Real Zaragoza, a team sure to be relegated. Last time, Real Madrid played Villarreal, they thrashed them 3-0 with first half goals from Benzema, Kaka and Di Maria.

With a new manager in charge, it is still unclear about how Villarreal will actually approach this match. They will be in a fragile state of mind with the humiliating defeats and the ruthless sacking of their coach playing on their mind. And then there is the unavailability of their star forward, Guiseppe Rossi, who is sidelined with along-term knee injury.

Borja Valero, their best ball player is also injured and this increases problems manifold for Villarreal. Then, there is the suspension of Marchena and you begin to wonder if Villarreal is facing the best team in the league at their worst possible time. Lotina will have no time to make changes to this squad. He will, in all probability, be playing a 4-3-3 with Bruno,Senna and Cani.

The forward line will consist of the Marco Ruben, Nilmar and Martinuccio. Without Rossi, the Villarreal attack has lost its sting but Lotina has no other option but to stick to this line-up at least for this match, before tinkering with the squad. Real Madrid’s full backs have been error prone and Malaga’s Joaquin demonstrated the frailty on Marcelo’s side of defense in the last match. Nilmar needs to beat Marcelo and the right flank will be one on which most of the attacks, if any, will originate.

The defense will remain unchanged from the match against Levante. Diego Lopez will be guarding the sticks and Mario, Zapata, Musacchio, and Oriol will shield him.

Expected Starting XI Villarreal ( 4-3-3) : Lopez; Mario, Zapata, Musacchio, Oriol; Senna, Cani, Bruno; Nilmar, Ruben, Martinuccio

After a deserving draw against Malaga, Real Madrid cannot afford any more slip-ups in the league. Pep Guardiola may be claiming that the league is out of reach but everybody knows that it is not the case. Another slip-up can prove fatal, and with Real Madrid playing at Camp Nou at the end of the season, the season finale can very well turn out to be dramatic.

Fabio Coentrao has been left out of the squad due to a coaching decision. But, according to rumors he has been punished for smoking in public. Raul Albiol has also been left out of the squad as well. It turns out that Albiol will have no chances of making it to the Spanish squad at the Euros. Di Maria is still not fit and will make his come back against APOEL if everything turns out as expected.

Arbeloa is back in the reckoning and will start as the right back. Lass did a commendable job against Malaga but according to reports from Spain, Khedira may be given a break in the midfield replacing the Frenchman. That means Pepe, Ramos and Marcelo will continue in their usual roles.

It is baffling though that the most used player in Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, has hardly been rested inspite of having Granero and Sahin on the bench. The playing time seems to be taking a toll on the Spanish maestro and his form has dipped slightly. But, his name will be the first to be pencilled on the squad sheet.

Kaka did not have a great game against Malaga but Mourinho may persist with him against Villarreal, with Ozil and Ronaldo flanking him. Karim Benzema started against Malaga and with the rotation policy now in place, Higuain will get the nod.

Expected Starting XI Real Madrid ( 4-2-3-1) : Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Lass; Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo; Higuain