La Liga Round 5 Preview: Real Madrid Relies on Bellingham, Villarreal Prioritizes the League

As La Liga heads into its fifth round of matches on September 17th, Real Madrid and Villarreal find themselves at different ends of the spectrum. Real Madrid is banking on Jude Bellingham's transformation into a shadow striker to maintain their perfect start, while Villarreal, facing early relegation threats, is set to prioritize the league over their upcoming Europa League fixtures.

Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad - Will the Undefeated Club Members Dwindle?

Real Madrid has taken a pragmatic approach this season, perhaps inspired by Barcelona's title win last season or driven by necessity. With Karim Benzema's departure and Vinicius Jr.'s injury, Los Blancos' attacking prowess has taken a significant hit. Carlo Ancelotti, renowned for his pragmatic style during his time at AC Milan, has adapted to this challenge by implementing a more Italian-style, results-oriented football. This approach has paid off so far, with Real Madrid being the only team in La Liga to maintain a perfect record.

Before the international break, Real Madrid faced Getafe, and once again, Jude Bellingham played a crucial role. Bellingham scored a last-minute winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, keeping Real Madrid's unbeaten streak alive. Bellingham, who was deployed in a deeper role at Borussia Dortmund and for the national team, has been repurposed as a shadow striker at Real Madrid, a move that showcases Ancelotti's tactical acumen.

Bellingham's impact has been profound, as he currently leads the La Liga scoring charts with five goals, accounting for more than half of Real Madrid's total goals this season. His form will be critical as Real Madrid prepares to face Real Sociedad, one of the four teams that remain unbeaten in La Liga so far.

Real Sociedad, however, has managed only one victory from their opening matches, making them the lowest-ranked of the undefeated teams. Their last match saw them engage in an uncharacteristically high-scoring 5-3 win over Granada. Japanese winger Takefusa Kubo scored twice and was named Man of the Match. Despite allowing two late goals, which would typically be a cause for concern, Real Sociedad's generally stable and methodical style means such lapses can be considered anomalies rather than the norm.

Kubo and his international teammates showcased their prowess during the international break, demonstrating that Japan's dismantling of Germany at the World Cup was no fluke. This boost in confidence could translate into a strong performance against Real Madrid. Last season, Real Sociedad secured a 2-0 home victory over Real Madrid, with Kubo scoring against his former club. Ancelotti might regret letting Kubo go, but this match presents an opportunity for both teams to make a statement. With both sides eyeing their upcoming Champions League fixtures, a cautious approach could lead to a goalless draw.

Villarreal vs. Almeria - Striking a Balance Between Attack and Defense

Villarreal has had a challenging start to the season, finding themselves in the relegation zone, just two points clear of the drop. In their opening two matches, Villarreal struggled offensively, scoring only once, highlighting their need to improve their attacking output. This changed in the third round against Barcelona, where Villarreal found their scoring touch but at the expense of their defensive solidity, conceding seven goals in their last two matches.

This pattern of solving one problem only to face another, like a game of whack-a-mole, has left Villarreal seeking a balance between attack and defense. Their next match against Almeria offers a prime opportunity to address these issues. Almeria, in their second season back in La Liga, are braced for a relegation battle. Although currently in the relegation zone, the points difference between the bottom five teams is narrow, meaning Almeria is not in immediate panic mode despite not having secured a win yet.

In their previous match against Celta Vigo, Almeria showed resilience by coming back from two goals down to level the score, although they eventually lost. However, this match marked the first time this season they scored more than once in a game, providing a positive sign for their offensive capabilities. Villarreal, who did the double over Almeria last season, will see this match as a crucial opportunity to widen the gap from the relegation zone before turning their attention to their Europa League commitments next week. Villarreal is expected to secure a 2-0 victory against Almeria.

Tactical Analysis: Real Madrid’s Pragmatism and Villarreal’s Balancing Act

Real Madrid’s Tactical Evolution

Under Ancelotti, Real Madrid has adapted to the absences of Benzema and Vinicius Jr. by embracing a more pragmatic, defensive approach. This shift has involved utilizing Bellingham in a more advanced role, a shadow striker, to make up for the attacking void left by their star forwards. Ancelotti's strategy has revolved around maintaining defensive solidity while relying on key moments of brilliance from players like Bellingham to secure narrow victories. The midfield, anchored by veterans like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, provides the necessary stability and experience, while younger talents like Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni bring energy and dynamism.

Against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid will need to be wary of Kubo’s creativity and pace on the wings. The defense, led by Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, must stay compact and organized to neutralize Real Sociedad’s attacking threats. The key for Real Madrid will be to maintain their disciplined defensive structure while capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities.

Real Sociedad’s Steady Approach

Real Sociedad’s methodical style of play is built on a solid defensive foundation and controlled possession. The midfield duo of Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi orchestrates the play, ensuring smooth transitions from defense to attack. Kubo’s form on the wing, combined with the attacking prowess of Alexander Isak, provides Real Sociedad with the firepower needed to challenge Real Madrid’s defense.

Imanol Alguacil’s side will look to exploit any gaps in Real Madrid’s defense, particularly through quick transitions and exploiting the flanks. Defensively, Real Sociedad must remain vigilant against Bellingham’s late runs into the box and set-piece threats. A disciplined and cohesive performance will be crucial for them to maintain their unbeaten record.

Villarreal’s Tactical Challenges

Balancing Attack and Defense

Villarreal’s early-season struggles can be attributed to their inability to find the right balance between attack and defense. Manager Unai Emery has alternated between offensive and defensive approaches without finding a consistent solution. The midfield trio of Dani Parejo, Étienne Capoue, and Francis Coquelin will be pivotal in controlling the game and providing the necessary cover for the defense.

The attacking trio, potentially featuring Gerard Moreno, Yeremy Pino, and Nicolas Jackson, must capitalize on their scoring opportunities while ensuring they track back to support the defense. Villarreal’s full-backs, Alberto Moreno and Juan Foyth, will play crucial roles in maintaining width and providing defensive stability.

Almeria’s Defensive Resilience

Almeria’s focus will be on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities. The backline, led by Rodrigo Ely and Sergio Akieme, will need to be disciplined and organized to withstand Villarreal’s attacking pressure. In midfield, Lucas Robertone and Samú Costa must disrupt Villarreal’s play and initiate quick transitions.

Almeria’s forwards, led by Umar Sadiq, will need to be clinical in front of goal to exploit any defensive lapses from Villarreal. A compact defensive shape and quick counter-attacks will be key to their strategy.

Key Matchups and Predictions

Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad:

The clash between Real Madrid’s pragmatic approach and Real Sociedad’s controlled style promises to be intriguing. The key battles will be between Bellingham and Real Sociedad’s defenders, and Kubo against Real Madrid’s full-backs. With both teams likely to adopt cautious approaches, a 0-0 draw seems a plausible outcome.

Villarreal vs. Almeria:

Villarreal’s need to balance their attacking and defensive play against Almeria’s resilience will be crucial. The midfield battle between Parejo and Robertone will be pivotal, while Villarreal’s forwards must make the most of their chances. Villarreal is expected to secure a 2-0 win, leveraging their home advantage and superior squad depth.

As La Liga progresses, the outcomes of these matches will have significant implications for the teams involved. Real Madrid aims to maintain their perfect record, while Villarreal seeks to distance themselves from relegation fears. These fixtures are set to provide exciting and strategic football, showcasing the tactical nuances of the teams involved.