Villarreal – Real Madrid: Madrid And Villarreal Share The Spoils In Table Topping Clash (1-1)

Entering this game off the back of a drubbing, Real Madrid's early strike saw them start the match as they would have liked to go on. However, their control of the ball gradually waned, and Villarreal's personnel adjustments in their 4-3-3 shape bore fruit late in the day.

Tactical analysis by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

After his tumultuous end at Arsenal, Unai Emery has made a strong start in his new post at Villarreal. With eighteen points from the opening nine games, his side sit second in the table, two points off of Real Sociedad. Having lost 4-0 to Barcelona and drawn to Atlético Madrid, the hosts were now looking for a statement victory against one of LaLiga's giants to cement their place among the elite.

This clash is the first of many crucial ones for Real Madrid. Suffering a 4-1 loss at the hands of mid-table strugglers Valencia before the international break, the away team slipped back into fourth place. With Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, and the Champions League on the horizon, the visitors were looking for three points to start this run of fixtures as they mean to go on.

Emery set up the home team in a 4-3-3 shape. Before the international break, Villarreal sealed one of their most impressive results of the season by beating Getafe 3-1 away from home. Thus, the manager only made one . . .