Real Madrid's Midnight Battle: Break the 8-Year Curse and Claim Temporary Top Spot with Victory

At 1:30 AM Beijing time on March 16th, Real Madrid will take on Villarreal in what promises to be an intense showdown at the Estadio de la Cerámica. This clash, part of La Liga Matchday 28, holds immense significance for the Madridistas. A victory in this game would give them the chance to experience the coveted position of top of the league — even if it is only temporary. However, despite the apparent dominance in head-to-head results, Real Madrid faces a significant challenge in Villarreal, having not won in their last eight visits to the Yellow Submarine in La Liga.

This game will undoubtedly be a test for Carlo Ancelotti's men, who have had a remarkable record in the league this season. However, breaking the curse in Villarreal, a ground that has proven problematic for Real Madrid over the last several years, would be a monumental achievement for the club. As Los Blancos gear up to take on Villarreal, they find themselves in a tight race for the La Liga title, with just a point separating them from Barcelona at the top.

History of Struggles: Real Madrid's Curse at Villarreal

Real Madrid and Villarreal have faced off 49 times in the history of La Liga, and the results favor the capital club, with 26 wins, 17 draws, and 6 losses. Over these encounters, Real Madrid has scored 100 goals while conceding 53. This statistic reflects their overall dominance in head-to-head battles. However, when it comes to playing at Villarreal’s home turf, Real Madrid has struggled, especially in recent seasons.

The last time Real Madrid won at Villarreal in La Liga was back in February 2017, nearly eight years ago. That match, in which Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale formed the iconic BBC attacking trio, saw Real Madrid defeat Villarreal 3-2. Since then, Villarreal has proven to be a thorn in the side of Los Blancos, and breaking this jinx will be no easy feat for Ancelotti and his players.

The squad that took the field in 2017 was vastly different from the one that will be stepping onto the pitch today. Sergio Ramos, Pepe, and Cristiano Ronaldo are no longer part of the team, and much has changed in the club’s dynamics over the last eight years. As we approach this match, Real Madrid’s new generation — led by Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes — will look to break this long-standing curse and secure a crucial victory on the road.

What’s at Stake: A Glimpse of Top Spot

At present, the La Liga standings are incredibly tight. Barcelona leads with 57 points after 26 games, while Real Madrid is sitting in second place with 57 points from 27 matches. Atlético Madrid follows closely with 56 points, having played the same number of games as Real Madrid.

If Real Madrid were to win this match, they would temporarily move into first place with 60 points from 28 matches, overtaking Barcelona. However, the title race is far from decided, as Barcelona will face Atlético Madrid in another crucial match that will take place on the same day at 4:00 AM Beijing time. If Barcelona fails to win their match, Real Madrid will maintain their position at the top of the table, even if only for a brief period.

For Real Madrid, the task at hand is clear: they need to break their long-standing curse at Villarreal and take all three points if they are to keep the pressure on Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in the race for the league title. While a temporary stay at the top is enticing, Ancelotti and his squad will know that they must focus on consistency if they are to secure a long-term advantage in the league.

Ancelotti’s Rotation Plan: Key Players Resting

One of the major talking points heading into this match is the rotation plan that Carlo Ancelotti has put in place for his squad. Having played an exhausting Champions League Round of 16 clash against Atlético Madrid just a few days before, Real Madrid will make strategic changes to their starting lineup.

During that fiercely contested match, which went into extra time and eventually resulted in a penalty shootout, Real Madrid triumphed 4-2 over their fierce Madrid rivals to advance to the quarterfinals. The physically demanding nature of that match has prompted Ancelotti to rest some of his key players for this La Liga encounter.

The players who are likely to be rested are Vinícius Júnior, who picked up a minor muscle injury during the Champions League match, as well as Federico Valverde and Antonio Rüdiger, both of whom have been carrying injuries throughout the season. Despite being named in the matchday squad, it is unlikely that these three stars will be included in the starting lineup, with Ancelotti opting to rotate and preserve their fitness for the upcoming challenges.

Projected Starting Lineup

With a few players expected to rest, here’s how Real Madrid might line up against Villarreal:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

• Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Raúl Albiol, David Alaba, Fran García

• Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga

• Attacking Midfielders: Brahim Díaz, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes

• Forward: Kylian Mbappé

In this lineup, Raúl Albiol will likely partner David Alaba in defense, while Fran García gets the nod at left-back. Tchouaméni and Camavinga will provide the necessary stability in midfield, with Brahim Díaz, Bellingham, and Rodrygo tasked with creating opportunities for the forward line. Mbappé, the superstar French forward, will spearhead the attack, looking to continue his incredible run of form.

Villarreal’s Challenge: A Resilient Opponent

On the other hand, Villarreal will come into this match looking to upset Real Madrid and claim an important three points. Under the management of Quique Setién, Villarreal has proven to be a tough opponent for many of Spain’s top teams this season, and they will be looking to build on their home advantage to take down the league leaders.

The Yellow Submarine will likely line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Gerónimo Rulli in goal and a backline of Foyth, Kambwala, Lozano-Costa, and Cadona. The midfield will be anchored by Pina, Parejo, Gai, and Baena, while the attack will feature Pepe and Álvaro Pereyra. Villarreal has always been a team capable of springing surprises, and Real Madrid will need to be on top of their game to avoid being caught off guard.

A Final Push for the Title

As the match approaches, Real Madrid’s players know that the opportunity to sit at the top of La Liga — even if just for one day — is within reach. But breaking the eight-year curse at Villarreal will require more than just desire. It will take determination, tactical discipline, and the ability to rise above the pressure. The stakes are high for both teams, and the 1:30 AM kickoff promises to be a thrilling encounter. Los Blancos will have to navigate both their fatigue from the Champions League and the long-standing demons of past encounters with Villarreal if they are to claim all three points and seize that temporary moment at the top of the table.

As the title race tightens, Real Madrid must remain focused on their long-term goals while looking to break records and create history on this exciting journey.