Real Madrid vs Villarreal

First of a run of 3 absolutely tough must win games in all competitions in the space of a week. Villarreal are a great defensive unit with good counter attacking threat. Casemiro is not expected to make it having trained away from his teammates. Tbh I'd rather have him against Las Palmas who are the most in form team in the league right now along with us. That's going to be a proper physical battle. We can survive without him against Villarreal tbh, they are more of a wing team anyways

I have a disturbingly sneaky feeling Danilo is starting this one, I mean I don't understand why he just didn't start against Espanyol as opposed to this game but i can understand ZZ not wanting to start Carvajal in 3 straight games in the space of a week

Both Bale and Ronaldo are back and will be expected to start alongside Morata who is expected to take Benzema's place. Kova is expected to replace Casemiro in the midfield. Pepe trained separately too

Would make me ecstatic if we scored 4 set piece goals and conceded no chances nevermind goals. While controlling the game playing at our own pace. Can't wait for the same suspects to continue moaning while we march to our 17th consecutive win tbh

Probable line up:


Bench: Yanez, Carvajal, Nacho, Isco, James, Lucas and Benz

Yeah, Danilo would probably start but oddly enough, I don't have any real issues with it. Not sure if I am fooling myself but he seems to have settled down. Hopefully I haven't talked too soon.

Our last 11 goals have been scored by 11 different players we are not reliant on the BBC to score goals. ZZ ffs

Casilla
Danilo Varane Ramos Nacho
Kroos
Modric Isco
Bale Morata Ronaldo

I would replace Nacho with Marcelo.
Subs: James in for bale, benzema for morata and asensio for isco/modric

As much as it gives me a eyesore watching our gameplay, i will still take that sort of disjointed game play and a win over swashbucking football and a draw.

May the most pragmatic team win.

Villarreal has always been an unpredictable team, just like Valencia and Sevilla, that's why we should always be wary of them.

I thought their display against La Real was unconvincing, but I expect them to turn it up tenfold against us.

The perfect scenario would be for us to win and for Barça to drop points against Atlético. But I'd be happy to just win.

Let's do this.

ZZ confirms Casemiro, Pepe and Modric are out. Also hints that Nacho will start at LB. This guy has no fear, he plays whoever whenever. No wonder the players love him

Kova coming on for Modric. Rock, paper, scissor between Isco and James who replaces Casemiro

Can't wait

I have a feeling it will be Isco. A little more defensively solid and could use some game time.

Isco could do with a start anyway.

i said this when we met them last season, the first game we met them in at home; if you watch them regularly, (villareal that is) they are usually a team that plays an open game, and that can work to our advantage, as we like to attack on the break and catch teams on the backfoot, ala our second goal against espanyol

despite me saying that, we ended up losing that first game to them last season, so let's hope for no surprises, plus we're playing this at home. i won't be surprised if danilo is included in the squad. we have a transfer ban coming up, so you need players getting minutes and confidence since you can't just sign replacements. the season's still early so you're afforded a chance to give players a run.....its not like we're playing a semi final, and the manager has danilo as the first name on his drawing board

and besides, danilo needs a break. he was overwhelmed last season, but i recall him doing something in the ucl final that i really liked....let's hope he doesn't make me look crazy and puts in a good shift. i think he'll come good. we'll need for the defense to be extremely disciplined so that the opponents don't get to test him too often

In training it was Morata playing with Ronaldo and Bale

morata will come off the bench to provide some spark when or if he is needed. i think zidane will go with his regular front 3 for now

Real Madrid Starting XI: Casilla, Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Kovacic, James, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.

That's a very offensive line up.

Pretty excited for this match.

Kroos and Kova in a double pivot with Marcelo and Danilo on the wings. Oh boy...

I feel bad for CBs and keeper tbh... for those who want us to go for the attack, here it is lol.

Are you saying Z folded to the pressure of the mighty Real Madrid section on GL?

Or are you simply saying that to have an excuse to use later in case we lose?

No. Casemiro and Modric are both out of the lineup and Carvajal is injury prone so he needs to rest.

He's forced into it here. One the reasons I was surprised by the lack of mercato activity. We don't have similar profile backups. After Modric, Kroos and Casemiro... we don't have a single CM that isn't offense oriented.

True, but Z should've anticipated that and started Danilo in the Espanyol game, thus resting Carvajal for this one.

Morata to score

The Demon of Carthage wrote:True, but Z should've anticipated that and started Danilo in the Espanyol game, thus resting Carvajal for this one.

That one was away from the Bernabeu... this one is at home.

Danilo has been nothing short of horrible away while he's been decent at home. Reason? We tend to control the game a lot more at the Bernabeu obviously so Danilo isn't asked to defend anywhere as much as he would away.

Yeah, it is a calculated gamble starting Danilo at home while starting Dani away DoC. Can't actually fault him on that one since the former has tendencies to falter away from the Bernabeu.

Also, the line up is not actually something Zidane could have helped unless he had control over the transfers. No cover for Casemiro was an unnecessary risk we took as a club.

It's amazing that we have 3 strikers... none of which like to make runs They all want the ball at their feet.

They're combining now... at least Ronaldo and Benz are. Marcelo made his one good cross of the game so that's it for tonight

Danilo is worse that Marcelo in terms of defensive positioning... Villareal haven't done much with it. But there's a boulevard over there.