Real Madrid 0-0 Villarreal: Carlo Ancelotti’s side frustrated as they are held to a goalless draw by Europa League winners as they move three points clear at the top of LaLiga
- Real Madrid struggled to create chances as they were held at home by Villarreal
- Villarreal had the better of possession as Madrid had just one shot on target
- Carlo Ancelotti’s side now sit three points ahead of Sevilla and Atletico Madrid
Draw specialists Villarreal did it again, taking two points off of Real Madrid just three days before facing Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Unai Emery’s side have now drawn five of their six league games and their only regret here was that they did not get more from the game.
Madrid came into the match averaging three goals a game and outscoring the rest of La Liga but it was Villarreal who had all the shots on target in the first half with over 60 per cent of the possession.
Real Madrid were held to hard-fought draw at home to move three points clear at the top
Karim Benzema couldn’t add to his goals after an explosive start to the new campaign
Real Madrid were reduced to shots off target with Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to play Fede Valverde at full-back robbing the team of its best midfielder and leaving Madrid over-run in the middle of the pitch.
Former Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma was causing Madrid all sorts of problems and he wriggled between Valverde and Marco Asensio. He kept his shot low but Thibaut Courtois got down well to save to his left.
Villarreal’s only problem was that there could not turn dominance into goals. That meant it was 0-0 at half-time and Ancelotti could change thing at the break with Rodrygo off and Eduardo Camavinga on. Edu Militao had their first chance but he headed it wide from Marco Asensio. With Madrid’s next chance saw Benzema headed just wide.
Camavinga had brought a freshness to Madrid’s play. He was even brave enough to run beyond Vinicius and cross but Benzema did not reach the centre.
Villarreal’s first second half chance came when Juan Foyfth teed-up Djanuma but his shot was saved.
Brazilian forward Rodrygo struggled to get into the game and was hooked off after half-time
Thibaut Courtois was called into action saving a shot from Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma
The visitors were buoyed by the chance and when Paco Alcacer hooked the ball beyond Courtois, Pau Torres came in at the back post but just failed to make contact.
Madrid stepped up the pressure in the last ten minutes and both Camavinga and Isco went close with a bicycle kick and a header but both times Rulli made the save.
There was a late chance for Vinicius but he curled it wide. Madrid had been poor but against an impressive Villarreal who were left cursing another draw but boosted by having tamed the league leaders.
Villarreal’s Juan Foyth battles for the ball with Karim Benzema leaving both on the floor
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was unhappy about a number of decisions
Europa League winners Villarreal have now drawn five of their six league games this season
Advertisement
