Relentless Villarreal Ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga Test at La Cerámica
23 January 2026
Match Preview
La Ceramica, Villarreal's fortress, has not been a fertile ground for Real Madrid lately, a fact the Merengues know all too well, and they'll need to give their all to claim the win.
Villarreal host Real Madrid in matchday 21 of La Liga, set for Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Madrid sit second with 48 points, one behind leaders Barcelona. Villarreal are third on 41 points from 19 games, with 13 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws.
Key Facts
Mundo Deportivo notes that Villarreal are a stubborn foe, but Madrid have found it tougher in recent visits.
Madrid have won only two of their last ten visits to La Ceramica, with the rest ending in draws or Villarreal wins.
This season, Marcelino García Toral's Villarreal have suffered just one home defeat in La Liga, a 0-2 loss to Barcelona on 21 December.
The paper adds that all of Villarreal's home games this season ended in home wins, except a 2-2 draw with Real Betis in round nine.
Punchlines
Punchline 1: If Real Madrid’s title chase were a sniper joke, the bullet would graze the post—close, but not quite there.
Punchline 2: Villarreal’s defense is so tight that even my coffee couldn’t break through—now that’s a wall with better aim than most forwards.
