Real Madrid had to go home empty-handed after losing to Villarreal at the Estadio de La Ceramica in a la liga match on Saturday (7/1).
In the match that ended with a score of 2-1, Villarreal's goals were scored by Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno, while the visiting team's fol reply was scored by Karim Benzema through the white dot.
The Course of the Game
Carlo Ancelotti decided to use a 4-3-3 formation in this match, in the front line Karim Benzema accompanied by two other players, Fede Valverde and Vinicius Jr, while Thibaut Courtois, who was previously doubtful to perform, turned out to be in a fit state.
The match was open from the start, the hosts had chances to open up the lead through Gerard Moreno or Francis Coquelin, but his efforts still did not pay off, as did Real Madrid who almost got the upper hand through Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr.
No goals were scored making the first half end in a goalless draw.
In the second half, Villarreal did not take long to open up the lead, taking advantage of Gerard Moreno's assist, Yeremy Pino successfully broke Courtois' goal.
Being behind certainly made Real Madrid immediately raise the tempo of the attack, they were rewarded with a penalty in the 58th minute after Juan Foyth was deemed to have a handsball. Karim Benzema did a good job and equalised to 1-1.
The draw didn't last long, this time it was the hosts' turn to get a penalty after David Alaba had a handsball. Gerard Moreno also managed to force Courtois to pick up the ball from his goal in the 63rd minute.
No additional goals were scored until the referee blew the long whistle making the game end with a 2-1 score line for Villarreal's victory.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois (6.5/10): returned to the starting XI and made some important saves, but ultimately failed to score a clean sheet.
Eder Militao (7/10): occupies the right-back position, performed quite well and became an important figure in the back line.
Antonio Rudiger (6.5/10): became a top choice at the heart of the defence, but was troubled several times by the pace of Villarreal's players.
David Alaba (5/10): not much different from Rudiger, Alaba's performances also tend to be standard in this match. It was a handsball that earned Villareal a penalty.
Ferland Mendy (5.5/10): occupying the left-back position, it is quite difficult to deal with the series of attacks that the hosts are trying to build. Not in the right position when Yeremy Pino broke into El Real's goal.
Toni Kroos (6/10): still an important figure in midfield, occasionally also co-building the attack.
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10): no significant contribution he made in this match.
Luka Modric (6/10): still the top choice, but his performances tend not to be too special.
Fede Valverde (6/10): difficulty developing the game.
Karim Benzema (6.5/10): also still the top choice, scoring an equaliser in the 58th minute.
Vinicius Jr (6/10): failed to capitalize on a number of goal opportunities in this match.
Substitutes
Lucas Vazquez (6/10): came on in the 64th minute in place of Aurelien Tchouameni, not too much influence he exerted the rest of the game.
Rodrygo (6/10): coming on in the 64th minute in place of Ferland Mendy, his form tended to be standard.
Eduardo Camavinga (N/A): came on in the 70th minute in place of Luka Modric.
Marco Asensio (N/A): came on in the 82nd minute in place of Fede Valverde.