Real firing on all cylinders
MADRID. — Real Madrid will look to carry on plundering the goals and push ahead in the early stages of the La Liga title race when they host mid-table Villarreal today.
Real have picked up 16, from a possible 18 points so far, and have rarely looked troubled, something which cannot be said for rivals Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona.
That is in no small part due to Karim Benzema’s form, with the Frenchman putting in another stellar display in Wednesday’s 6-1 hammering of Mallorca as he took his league tally to eight goals and seven assists for the campaign. “The fact he’s scored so many sometimes makes you forget the work he does for the team and assists he provides. He’s so complete,” Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said.
Madrid have netted 21 league goals — 10 more than any other side — so far, and the Italian lavished praise on his fringe players who have stepped up when needed due to injuries.
“We’ve got a good mix between youth and experience in the squad. I’m happy that the players who have not featured much are ready to play. It’s a really good sign for the squad,” he said.
With six first team regulars missing, the fringe players will be called upon again for the visit of Unai Emery’s Villarreal, who remain undefeated but only secured their first win of the season on Wednesday as they hammered Elche 4-1.
Atletico, who sit two points behind Real on 14, once again left it until stoppage time to secure victory as they squeezed past Getafe 2-1 on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone’s side visit bottom of the table Alaves with doubts over midfield trio Koke, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Thomas Lemar’s fitness.
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman had no complaints about the attitude and commitment of his team after Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Cadiz and instead lamented the raft of injuries that robbed him of several first-choice players.
The goalless draw left Barca seventh in La Liga on nine points from five games, already seven points behind leaders Real Madrid, and heaped more pressure on Koeman, who was dismissed in the dying seconds of the game for dissent.
Barcelona President Joan Laporta had backed Koeman as manager before the match but also said he had to start producing better football and that the board would not shirk tough decisions if they needed to be made.
“It’s not always down to a result. We have to analyse what the team did, the attitude of the team, the commitment of the team and I can’t complain about any of that from this game,” the Dutchman told reporters.’’
Spanish La Liga Fixtures
Today: Deportivo Alaves v Atletico Madrid (2pm); Valencia v Athletic Club (4:15pm); Sevilla v Espanyol (6:30pm); Real Madrid v Villarreal (9pm).
Tomorrow: Mallorca v Osasuna (2pm); Barcelona v Levante (4:15pm); Real Sociedad v Elche (6:30pm); Rayo Vallecano v Cadiz (6:30pm); Real Betis v Getafe (9pm).
Monday: Celta Vigo v Granada (9pm).
AFP.