Real Madrid – Villarreal: Vinicius Junior’s Shining Led To Submarines Sinking In Bernabéu (3-1)

After a passive first half in which Real Madrid facilitated Villarreal's task, Xabi Alonso's team increased the cadence of the play to exert their superiority. Overloads across and along the pitch allowed the white team to figure out routes into the Submarines' box. Nevertheless, defensive transitions are still a hindrance for Los Blancos.

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

After the catastrophe of the Madrid Derby, Xabi Alonso admitted that neither the game plan nor he and the players were at the required level to compete and keep the balance out of defeats with Real Madrid. Los Blancos flew to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappé kept emerging as the protagonist, banking a hat-trick to level with Filippo Inzaghi as the only two players who scored many hat-tricks in away games.

The Submarines, with Marcelino, seemed to be a mainstay among the top four in La Liga. Villarreal registered five wins, one draw, and a single loss in the league. Nevertheless, Villarreal's debut in the UEFA Champions League wasn't promising, as they lost against Tottenham in London and secured a late, dramatic draw against . . .