Real Madrid will finish the 2020-2021 LaLiga season this Saturday afternoon at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano when they take on Villarreal, who are preparing for a Europa League Final just days after this massive match.
Although the Yellow Submarine don’t have much to play for in the league, Real Madrid have everything to play for. They need to beat Villarreal and hope for a miracle win from relegation candidates Real Valladolid over league leaders Atletico Madrid. Valladolid, by the way, lost 4-1 to Real Sociedad last weekend.
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal will be a tight affair. Here are three individual matchups that could decide who wins on LaLiga’s Matchday 38.
Real Madrid CM Fede Valverde vs. Villarreal CM Dani Parejo
This battle will pit two of LaLiga’s best center midfielders against each other, albeit ones with completely different playing styles. Fede Valverde will start with Toni Kroos suffering from COVID-19. He was excellent against Granada but not quite as impactful at San Mames.
Meanwhile, Parejo is having a splendid first season with Villarreal after joining from rivals Valencia, who underwent a firesale this summer. Parejo controlled the match expertly when Villarreal drew Real at the Estadio de la Ceramica earlier this season.
After Gerard Moreno, Parejo is Villarreal’s best player and vital to everything they do as a team. Per WhoScored.com, he completes about 90 percent of his passes and averages a whopping 75 passes per game.
Valverde must prevent Parejo from getting into the rhythm while also supporting the attack with his typical lung-busting carries up the pitch.