Real Madrid – Villarreal: Benzema Brace Bags League Title For Real Madrid (2-1)

In the penultimate set of LaLiga games, Real Madrid were presented an opportunity to seal the league title. The home side produced a dominant performance in all phases. Villarreal, suffocated in their 4-4-2 defensive shape, did not threaten to spoil the party until the dying minutes. This effort would not be enough as a Benzema brace earned Madrid both the victory and the league trophy.

Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

Both sides had something to play for heading into this clash. Villarreal were looking to maintain their standing in fifth ahead of Getafe and Real Sociedad. A win for them would seal automatic Europa League qualification. The stakes were much higher for Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid outfit. Sitting four points ahead of Barcelona, a win for them would act as the championship coronation.

Zinedine Zidane went with his trusted 4-3-3 formation. Thibaut Courtois continued in goal with the usual suspects in the backline ahead of him; Daniel Carvajal, Raphaël Varane, Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy. In the Madrid midfield was the trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. Rodrygo and Eden Hazard provided the width for Madrid with Karim Benzema leading the line.

Villarreal were lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation by Javi Calleja. Sergio Asenjo was their goalkeeper with a defensive line of four ahead of him. Mario Gaspar and Xavi Quintillà were the fullbacks with Sofiane Chakla and Pau Torres in the center of defense. Manu Morlanes and André-Frank Anguissa were the pair in midfield for Villarreal. Rubén Peña would be on the right of midfield with Moi Gomez and Samuel Chukwueze completing the . . .