La Liga Preview: Real Madrid firing on all cylinders; Barcelona seeks patience

Madrid has netted 21 league goals so far, 10 more than any other side and has picked up 16 from a possible 18 points in the league.

Published : Sep 23, 2021 17:10 IST

Real Madrid will look to carry on plundering the goals and push ahead in the early stages of the LaLiga title race when it hosts mid-table Villarreal on Saturday.

Real has picked up 16 from a possible 18 points so far and has 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.

READ | Asensio hat-trick, Benzema double as Real hits Mallorca for six

"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 has 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, which remains undefeated but only secured its first win of the season on Wednesday as it hammered Elche 4-1.

Atletico, which sits two points behind Real on 14, once again left it until stoppage time to secure victory as it squeezed past Getafe 2-1 on Tuesday.

Diego Simeone's side visits bottom of the table Alaves with doubts over midfield trio Koke, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Thomas Lemar's fitness.

Barcelona, which visits Cadiz on Thursday, has itself had a tumultuous start to the season and sits eighth with eight points from four games.

ALSO READ | Koeman calls for patience in unusual news conference

Coach Ronald Koeman and president Joan Laporta have become embroiled in public a war of words, with the Dutchman reading a statement at his news conference on Wednesday asking for time to rebuild the squad before refusing to answer questions.

Local media reports say Laporta was unaware Koeman was making the statement and that if Barca fails to beat Cadiz and Levante, then the coach is in danger of losing his job.

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