Real Madrid are fresh off a 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana and critics claim Los Blancos are declining. Carlo Ancelotti has been quick to say the squad is still hungry after struggling through the Supercopa de Espana mini-tournament.
Los Blancos defeated Valencia on penalties after the teams drew following 120 minutes of football. Madrid were never in the final match against Barcelona, conceding twice before halftime. Los Blancos’ lone goal came in second-half stoppage time.
¡El Submarino ya prepara los octavos de final de la #CopaDelRey 🏆! pic.twitter.com/XA5Ln6ZvqJ— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 16, 2023
¡El Submarino ya prepara los octavos de final de la #CopaDelRey 🏆! pic.twitter.com/XA5Ln6ZvqJ
Villarreal will smell blood in the water as they host Madrid at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Thursday night. The Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in seven straight games in all competitions ahead of Real Madrid’s arrival.
An upset could be on the cards in the Copa del Rey round of 16. Villarreal are unbeaten in three straight games against Madrid with one win and two draws.
Earlier this season, Villarreal posted a 2-1 home win against Real Madrid. Yeremi Pino scored on 47 minutes but Karim Benzema tallied a penalty on 60 minutes.
Three minutes later Gerard Moreno scored a penalty for Villarreal for the win. Five yellow cards were handed out in the game.
Ancelotti should be worried about Benzema ahead of the game on Thursday. The Frenchman looks tired and has lost form despite scoring twice at the Supercopa de Espana mini-tournament. The striker has been fighting muscle problems all season long.
As it stands, Benzema is set to play the game. However, Ancelotti is unlikely to have David Alaba or Aurelien Tchouameni available due to injuries.
Midfielder Lucas Vazquez is a doubt to make the squad. Eder Militao suffered a head injury. against Valencia in the Super Cup and may be unavailable.
Quique Setien has Villarreal in fine form and the Yellow Submarine’s win over Real Madrid came on January 7, just before Los Blancos headed to the Super Cup.
The manager has a few players in the treatment room ahead of the midweek match. Defenders Kiko Femenia and Juan Foyth are both set to miss the game due to their respective injuries.
Midfielders Nicolas Jackson is a doubt due to physical discomfort. Alfonso Pedraza is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt with a hamstring strain.
Villarreal defeated Real Madrid at home 2-1 just over 10 days ago. The Yellow Submarine are unbeaten in three straight games versus Madrid and should pick up a draw at full-time in the Copa del Rey round of 16. The match could end 2-2 as Madrid continue to concede goals.