Real Madrid dropped points at home for the first time this season following their goalless draw with Villarreal on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid had been in some incredible run of form prior to this weekend’s game after failing to drop points since matchday two of the 2021/22 La Liga season.
While Real Madrid were looking to continue their winning streak, Villarreal were aiming at gathering momentum after winning their first game of the season in midweek.
Carlo Ancelotti made changes to the starting eleven that beat Mallorca with a 6-1 scoreline last weekend, with Casemiro and Luka Modric returning to the line-up while Miguel Gutierrez and Eduardo Camavinga were restored to the bench.
The Los Blancos started the game with Federico Valverde slotting into the right-back position while the midfield consisted of Casemiro, Modric, and Marco Asensio.
The Yellow Submarines looked the brighter of the two teams in the opening exchanges of the game, forcing Thibaut Courtois into two excellent saves in the first half.
Unai Emery’s men saw most of the ball and created some decent chances but they were unable to make Madrid pay for their poor display on the night.
Real Madrid saw none of their seven shots in the first 45 minutes go on target, with four being blocked and the other three going way off target.
The recess saw Ancelotti bring on Camavinga in place of Rodrygo Goes, who had not seen much of the ball in the earlier half, as Madrid looked to break into the lines of Villarreal.
His substitution saw the home team dominate possession and create chances but balls were begging to go in as Eder Militao saw his header go wide of the post while Isco’s header was also parried away by the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Ancelotti’s men were looking to extend their lead at the top of the league table to five points but the game ended in a stalemate after both sides were unable to break the deadlock.
Madrid will now turn their attention to midweek action with a UEFA Champions League game next on the card.
