Real Madrid 0 – 1 Villarreal – Match recap – how it happened

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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Real Madrid waste another great first half performance and collapse late, losing 1-0 to Villarreal at home. Here’s how it happened.

Lineup

With Benzema out through injury, Zidane opted to go with the BIC (Bale, Isco, Cristiano) attacking trident up top, an option that I have praised in the past. Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric slotted in to the midfield. Madrid’s Both of Madrid’s first choice full-backs, Marcelo and Carvajal were available to start. Nacho started alongside Varane in place of the injured Sergio Ramos, who was caught displaying some… questionable fashion choices in the box at the Bernabéu.