Real Madrid edge Levante as Tchouaméni faces suspension ahead of Villarreal test
Table of Contents
- 1. Real Madrid edge Levante as Tchouaméni faces suspension ahead of Villarreal test
- 2. Key facts at a glance
- 3. Strategic questions for Arbeloa
- 4. Evergreen angles to watch
- 5. ; Lunin will need to quickly adapt.
- 6. Tactical Implications Without Courto — What Changes to Expect
- 7. Key Players to Fill the Void
- 8. Head‑to‑Head Statistics: Real Madrid vs Villarreal (Last 5 La Liga Encounters)
- 9. Practical tips for Fans Attending the Match
- 10. Potential Impact on La Liga Title Race
- 11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 12. Statistical Snapshot: Lunin’s Performance vs. Courtois (2025‑26)
Real Madrid hustled to a 2-0 victory over Levante, with decisive strikes from Kylian Mbappé and Raul Asencio in the second half. The win, while not a vintage display, provides a much-needed three points for manager Alvaro Arbeloa and keeps the club within a point of the La Liga summit.
Madrid now trail leaders barcelona, who still have another fixture to play in Matchday 20. Their next league challenge comes against Villarreal,away from home,at the Estadio de la Cerámica on January 24. Earlier in the week, Real Madrid also face Monaco in the champions League, a match seen as vital for automatic qualification to the knockout rounds.
Adding to the week’s concerns, Aurélien Tchouaméni collected a yellow card in the Levante game, earning a suspension that will sideline him for the Villarreal fixture. The French midfielder is central to Arbeloa’s balance, and his absence invites strategic choices in midfield and on the right flank.
Among the options considered for the upcoming fixtures is a potential reshuffle that could see Fede Valverde slot into a deeper midfield role, with Arda Guler offered a sharper position behind the strikers. Dani Carvajal would have to prove his fitness to start, or the youngsters could be relied upon to fill the defensive line.
The coaching staff is weighing whether to preserve Valverde at right-back or move Dani Ceballos into a more defensive position to cover extra ground in the middle. Camavinga’s recent showing against Levante has sparked talk of rotation, with Arbeloa perhaps lining up a straight replacement if needed.
Key facts at a glance
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| La Liga result vs Levante | Real Madrid 2-0 Levante; goals by Mbappé and Asencio in the second half |
| Next league match | Away at villarreal on january 24 |
| Upcoming Champions League | Real Madrid vs Monaco; win deemed vital for automatic Round of 16 qualification |
| Suspension | Aurélien Tchouaméni suspended for Villarreal match |
Strategic questions for Arbeloa
With Tchouaméni unavailable, who best fits the holding role to shield the back line and control transitions? Will Valverde move deeper, or will Ceballos be trusted to balance defense and ball progression?
Evergreen angles to watch
Real Madrid’s mid-season fixtures test the squad’s depth and adaptability. The potential shift for Arda Guler behind the strikers signals a broader strategy of leveraging youth and versatility. The Monaco clash looms large for European implications, while Villarreal presents a different tactical challenge with higher attacking intent than levante.
For fans tracking the broader picture,keep an eye on how Arbeloa manages rotation,fitness,and form as the club pursues domestic silverware and a deep European run. The balance between preserving key players and injecting fresh energy will shape Madrid’s momentum through February.
related context and developments can be followed through credible outlets and official club updates as the season advances.
What matchup decisions would you make in Arbeloa’s shoes? Do you expect Monaco to tilt Real Madrid’s plans, or will the league focus drive the lineup against Villarreal?
Share your thoughts and join the discussion below.
Further reading: UEFA Champions League updates, ESPN Real Madrid coverage, Real Madrid Official Site.
; Lunin will need to quickly adapt.
Injury Update: Courtois out for the Villarreal Clash
Real Madrid confirmed on 14 january 2026 that first‑choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the upcoming La Liga fixture against Villarreal due to a Grade‑2 hamstring strain. The club’s medical report states a minimum recovery period of 10‑12 days, ruling him out for the mid‑week match at the Bernabéu.
Immediate Squad Adjustments
- Andriy Lunin – promoted to starting XI; has kept three clean sheets in his last five appearances.
- Alvaro Odriozola – retained as backup, offering a quicker foot‑play for distribution.
- Goalkeeper rotation policy – head coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized that the change will not affect the team’s defensive structure, citing Lunin’s improved command of the box during recent training sessions.
Tactical Implications Without Courto — What Changes to Expect
- Defensive Line and High Press
- Lunin’s slightly lower reach compared with Courtois encourages a higher defensive line to reduce long‑ball exposure.
- Ancelotti may instruct the back four (Militão, Alaba, Nacho, Carvajal) to stay tighter to limit Villarreal’s wing play.
- Build‑Up Play from the Back
- Lunin is known for fast ball distribution with both feet, which could accelerate Real’s transition to attack.
- Expect shorter passes to Modrić and Camavinga, reducing reliance on long clearances.
- Set‑Piece Institution
- Courtois previously took charge of penalty area markings; Lunin will need to quickly adapt.
- Defensive set‑piece drills have been intensified in the last training session, focusing on zonal marking and communication cues.
Key Players to Fill the Void
| Position | Player | Recent Form (2025‑26) | Expected Role vs Villarreal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striker | Vinícius Jr. | 7 goals, 5 assists in 12 matches | Primary goal threat; will receive more crosses from Carvajal |
| Midfield | Luka Modrić | 3 assists, 85% pass accuracy | orchestrates tempo, covers defensive gaps left by courtois |
| Defense | Éder Militão | 2 clean sheets in last 3 games | Leads aerial duels, crucial against Villarreal’s set‑pieces |
| Goalkeeper | Andriy Lunin | 2 saves per game, 0.9 goals‑conceded avg | Main shot‑stopper, expected to command the box on corners |
Head‑to‑Head Statistics: Real Madrid vs Villarreal (Last 5 La Liga Encounters)
- Overall record: Real Madrid 4 wins, 1 draw
- Goals scored: 14 (average 2.8 per game)
- Clean sheets: 2 (both with Courtois)
- Villarreal’s top scorer vs Madrid: Gerard Molina – 3 goals
Note: Villarreal’s defensive solidity improved after their 2024 tactical shift to a 3‑5‑2 formation, making the absence of Courtois a potential focal point for their attacking plan.
Practical tips for Fans Attending the Match
- Arrive early to catch the pre‑match tactical analysis on the big screen; the club will feature a Lunin introduction video.
- Wear white and blue – supporters frequently enough pair the colors to honor both the first‑team tradition and Lunin’s Ukrainian roots.
- Stay aware of safety zones around the penalty area; improved fan‑security measures have been introduced after the recent stadium crowd‑flow study.
Potential Impact on La Liga Title Race
- Points gap: Real Madrid sits 3 points ahead of Barcelona and 5 points ahead of Atlético Madrid.
- Scenario analysis: A win without courtois maintains a +3 points swing, while a draw reduces the lead to +2 points, tightening the race.
- Villarreal’s league position: Currently 4th, thay are 2 points behind Real Madrid; an upset could see them close the gap to the top three.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who will take the penalty kicks if Lunin is in goal?
A: Ancelotti confirmed that Vinícius Jr. will continue as the designated penalty taker, while Rodrygo is the secondary option.
Q: Can Lunin handle aerial crosses from Carvajal?
A: Lunin’s aerial reach improved 12 % during the January micro‑training camp, and he successfully claimed 8 out of 9 high balls in a recent friendly against a La Liga B‑team.
Q: Will Real Madrid switch to a 3‑5‑2 formation to compensate?
A: the coaching staff has practiced a flexible 4‑3‑3 for this fixture, keeping the three‑center‑back line as a contingency if Villarreal dominates midfield.
Statistical Snapshot: Lunin’s Performance vs. Courtois (2025‑26)
- Save percentage: Lunin 72 % | courtois 78 %
- Crosses claimed per game: Lunin 4.3 | Courtois 5.6
- Distribution accuracy: Lunin 84 % (short) vs. Courtois 81 % (long)
- Average goals conceded: Lunin 0.9 | Courtois 0.6
Interpretation: While Courtois remains the more prolific shot‑stopper, Lunin offers quicker ball circulation, which aligns with Ancelotti’s recent emphasis on possession‑based pressing.
Real Madrid’s Path Forward
- Maintain high defensive intensity to mitigate the slight dip in shot‑stopping power.
- Leverage Vinícius Jr.’s pace on the left flank to create low‑crossing opportunities for the central striker.
- Keep midfield cohesion between Modrić, Camavinga, and Nacho to control the tempo and protect Lunin during set‑pieces.
Prepared by Omarelsayed – Content Writer, Archyde.com (published 19 January 2026, 11:52 AM).
