Villarreal neutralise Real Madrid and get a good point as they visited Santiago Bernabéu
A good point at the Santiago Bernabéu (0-0). Villarreal drew against Real Madrid in a hard-fought game which the Yellows could even have won. Unai Emery’s side looked good away to the league leaders, with a particularly impressive first half, and a competive final 45 minutes.
Villarreal took to the pitch with a number of changes from the previous win in the league against Elche CF. The Yellows made five changes. Gero Rulli,, Raúl Albiol, Juan Foyth, Alberto Moreno and Francis Coquelin started at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Emery’s team started the match bravely, and tried to take control of the game. The Yellows dominated the ball in the opening stages, moving it around well in the Spanish capital.
The best chance for Villarreal in the first half came after 13 minutes. Arnaut Danjuma’s powerful effort was kept out by Thibaut Courtois at full stretch. It was the first time the Submarine warned that they could score.
Villarreal continued to dominate at the half-hour mark. As they did not have possession, Real Madrid tried to counter attack the Yellows, with quick transitions. The first half ended with Villarreal looking impressive on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
In the second 45 minutes, Real Madrid stepped forward, and started to fight Emery’s team for possession. After returning from the dressing rooms, Los Blancos had a chance to go ahead on the scoreboard. Eder Militao’s header, after a Marco Asensio ball into the box, went just wide of Rulli’s goal. Moments later, the Yellows hit back with a long-range Danjuma effort. Courtois saved easily.
In the closing moments of the game, Real Madrid pushed forward and forced Villarreal to defend heavily to get a point at the Santiago Bernabéu. In the 81st minute, Rulli made a great save, sticking a hand out to deny Isco in the box.
The game ended 0-0, and Villarreal got a point from the Spanish capital. Next up for Emery’s team is a game in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday at 9pm CEST, against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Lineups:
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Modric (Hazard, m. 73), Casemiro, Asensio (Isco, m. 81); Rodrygo (Camavinga, m. 46), Benzema, Vini Jr.
Villarreal CF: Rulli; Foyth (Mario Gaspar, m. 86); R. Albiol, Pau, Alberto M; Coquelin (Moi Gómez, m. 58), Capoue, Parejo; Yeremy (M. Trigueros, m. 84), Paco Alcácer (Dia, m. 57), Danjuma (R. Peña, m. 84).
Referee: Gil Manzano. Booked: Vini Jr (Real Madrid); Coquelin, Moi Gómez (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Game between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF corresponding to Matchday 7 of the 2021/22 LaLiga at the Santiago Bernabéu in front of an attendance of 23,985.
