La Liga: Real looking to maintain new-found rhythm

Los Blancos travel to Villarreal buoyed by the 8-0 win over Malmo in Champions League

After thrashing Malmo 8-0 in the Champions League in midweek, Real Madrid would be looking to restore some domestic pride as they travel to Estadio El Madrigal to take on Villarreal on Sunday.

Rafa Benitez’s men have been under fire for various off-field issues which includes their expulsion from the Copa del Rey for fielding the suspended Denis Cheryshev against Cadiz and Karim Benzema’s suspension from the French team over his alleged involvement in blackmailing France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

And with their latest appeal — regarding their disqualification from the Copa del Rey — being rejected by the administrative courts, Real would look to divert the spotlight with a solid display against Marcelino Garcia’s struggling side, who have conceded 13 goals in the last seven matches, which includes the three they shipped to Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.



Real have found the net 21 times since their humiliating 4-0 loss to Barcelona at the Bernabeu, and Benitez is confident that his side would continue its fine form on Sunday.

“This is football and things change every week,” said Benitez according to Goal.com, referring to their latest appeal rejection. “The important thing is to carry on this run of good play and results that we must maintain. We have to really respect the opponents. I am really satisfied with the play, attitude and the result and I hope that the team will continue in the same direction.”

Marcelino, meanwhile, urged his side to improve their defensive act, insisting that if they fail to do so, Real would embark on another goal-scoring fiesta, similar to the one they had against Malmo.



“I worry about our defensive balance because just scoring as many as possible to win games isn’t sustainable,” said Marcelino. “If we defend like we did [on Thursday] against Real Madrid, it’s likely that they’ll put seven past us.”

Neville eyes win in first league game in charge

Gary Neville, who tasted his first defeat in charge of Valencia in the Champions League against Lyon on Wednesday, would look to make amends as his side takes on Eibar at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium on Sunday.

Valencia, who have registered only two wins in the last eight games in all competitions including the 2-0 loss to Lyon, would look to bounce back and impress the new boss in his first league game in charge of Los Che.



“There is nothing on my mind except the match against Eibar in the league,” said Neville. “I’m thinking about recuperation, recovery and making sure the players are well prepared for the encounter.”

Eibar, meanwhile, are on a three-match winless run in La Liga that has soured a solid start to the season.

In other games, Atletico Madrid would look to maintain their 13-match unbeaten run across all competitions when they host Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao at the Vicente Calderon.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.