Real Madrid will hit the road to take on one of LaLiga's toughest opponents, Villarreal, on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Submarine love to play spoiler against the Spanish big three, and after barely surviving Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, Real still have a chip on their shoulder heading into this weekend's LaLiga action.
Here are five players on both Real Madrid and Villarreal who will play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome of Saturday's game.
Real Madrid RB Lucas Vazquez
Lucas Vazquez has been a liability all season long for Real Madrid, and it's been a long time since he's truly convinced anyone at the club of his level. In the past, Vazquez has been able to masquerade as a competent right back, including late in the 2020/21 season, but in 2024/25, Vazquez is very likely playing himself out of the Real Madrid squad entirely this summer.
On Saturday, he will go up against one of the best players of the current LaLiga season in Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena. If Vazquez isn't at his sharpest mentally, this could be a long day for the Royal White club.
Villarreal LM Alex Baena
There's a case to be made that Alex Baena has been the best creator in LaLiga this season, leaving the Real Madrid and Barcelona superstars in the dust with his statistics. For example, nobody in this match has more assists on the season than Baena's seven, and his 3.2 key passes per game are more than a full chance created above anyone on Madrid.
Baena is versatile and plays as both a winger and midfielder, holding width and sending clear-cut chances from deep, from set piece plays, and within the final third in central areas. Real Madrid will need a team effort in order to stop Baena from running the show on the counter.
Real Madrid CB Antonio Rudiger
Antonio Rudiger is the only sure-fire center back for Real Madrid on Saturday, because there is some debate if David Alaba will get the start for the Merengues. And if Alaba does start, that only makes Rudiger's task taller, because the Austrian international is clearly on his last legs in European football.
Meanwhile, Rudiger has been about a league average starter for Real Madrid this season, buoyed by Raul Asencio at times. The German international will be going up against a quality Villarreal attack, led by the exciting striker tandem of Ayoze Perez and breakout star Thierno Barry; the two have 19 combined goals between them this season in LaLiga alone.
Villarreal ST Ayoze Perez
Ayoze Perez has built a solid career for himself at a number of stops, including Newcastle and Leicester City in the Premier League and then Real Betis in LaLiga before moving on to the Yellow Submarine in 2024.
Whether in England or Spain, Perez has been one of the most underrated forwards in European footabll and is putting together arguably the best season of his career in canary yellow. In fact, Mbappe is the only player in this game with more goals on the season than Perez's 11.
On top of the goals, Perez has offered his customary all-around quality with 1.1 key passes, 1.1 dribbles completed, and 1.5 fouls drawn per game. If Real Madrid's suspect defense isn't at its best, you wouldn't bet against Perez scoring again.
Real Madrid ST Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has had his moments these past few weeks, but there's a worry that his play is regressing again. The Frenchman has missed some easy chances to score and assist, he hasn't been as sharp with his touch either, and his overall impact has been weighed down with both himself and Vinicius Junior getting in each other's way again.
Real Madrid desperately need their superstars to be superstars in these big-ticket LaLiga matchups, especially when away from the Santiago Bernabeu. Mbappe is Real's most talented player, but he still has a point to prove before he can even ponder being considered the best player over the well-rounded Jude Bellingham.