If you’ve been watching the drama at the Bernabéu lately, you know things are... intense. There’s really no other way to put it. After a week that felt more like a soap opera than a football season—Xabi Alonso out, Álvaro Arbeloa in, and that gut-wrenching Copa del Rey exit to Albacete—Real Madrid finally breathed a little. They took down Levante 2-0 this past Saturday. It wasn't pretty. It was actually kind of a slog until Kylian Mbappé tucked away that penalty. But now, the focus shifts.
The next match for Real Madrid in La Liga is a massive trip to the Estadio de la Cerámica to face Villarreal.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 25, 2026. This isn't just another game. Villarreal is currently sitting in third place, breathing down Madrid's neck. If Los Blancos want any hope of catching Barcelona—who are currently leading the pack by a single point with a game in hand—they basically have to win in Castellón. No pressure, right?
Why the Villarreal game is a total minefield
Honestly, the Yellow Submarine has been a nightmare for the big teams this season. They’ve only lost once at home. Marcelino has them playing this incredibly disciplined, annoying-to-break-down style that usually drives Madrid's creative players crazy.
And let's talk about the vibe in the Madrid locker room. It’s heavy. We saw the footage of Vinícius Jr. looking absolutely devastated after being booed by some sections of the home crowd against Levante. Even though they won, the tension is thick. Arbeloa has a massive job on his hands trying to keep the squad's heads up.
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Plus, the injury list? It’s a literal horror show.
- Antonio Rüdiger (Out)
- Éder Militão (Out)
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Out)
- Ferland Mendy (Out)
- Rodrygo (Out)
When you're missing four-fifths of your preferred starting defense, every away game feels like a final. Raul Asencio stepped up against Levante and even scored, but facing Villarreal's attackers is a different level of stress entirely.
The Mbappé factor and the title race
Kylian Mbappé is currently the league's top scorer with 18 goals, and he’s basically carrying the offensive load right now. He missed the start of the year with a knee injury but looked sharp enough on Saturday. Madrid needs him to be "Ballon d'Or level" Kylian for this next match.
The league table is incredibly tight. Barcelona has 49 points from 19 games. Real Madrid has 48 from 20 games. Yeah, you read that right. Madrid has played an extra game because of the Club World Cup and Supercopa scheduling shifts. If they drop points against Villarreal, they aren't just losing ground; they’re potentially handing the trophy to Hansi Flick’s Barça before February even hits.
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What to expect at the Cerámica
Expect a cagey game. Arbeloa seems to be leaning into a slightly more pragmatic approach than Alonso did. He has to. With a makeshift defense, you can’t exactly go full "heavy metal" football without getting caught on the counter.
Villarreal will likely let Madrid have the ball and wait for Aurélien Tchouaméni or Jude Bellingham to make a mistake in transition. It’s the classic Villarreal trap. If Madrid can score early, they might force Villarreal to open up, which is where Vinícius thrives—assuming his head is back in the game.
Match Details at a Glance
The kickoff time for the next match for Real Madrid in La Liga hasn't been narrowed down to the minute by the LFP yet, but it's confirmed for the 25th. You’re looking at the usual prime-time slot.
- Opponent: Villarreal CF
- Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Competition: La Liga Matchday 21
- Current Form: Real Madrid (W-L-L-W), Villarreal (W-W-L-W)
How to navigate the coming week
If you're a Madridista, the best thing to do is keep an eye on the midweek Champions League clash against Monaco on January 20th. That game will tell us everything we need to know about the squad's fitness. If Arbeloa has to rotate heavily there, it means he’s betting the house on the Villarreal game.
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For those following the title race, keep a close eye on Barcelona's result against Real Sociedad on the 18th. If La Real does Madrid a favor and trips up Barça, the stakes for the Villarreal game go from "huge" to "galactic."
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the final squad list on Friday, January 23rd, to see if Rüdiger or Rodrygo make a surprise return to the bench.
- Watch the Monaco game for "minutes management"—if Bellingham comes off early, he’s being saved for the battle in Vila-real.
- Prepare for a high-tension atmosphere; the Cerámica is small, loud, and notoriously hostile to the "Vikingos."
This season is a rollercoaster. One week you're losing to Albacete, the next you're fighting for your life in the title race. That's just life at the world's biggest club.