Official: Real Madrid starting lineup against Villarreal

Real Madrid narrowly escaped extra time in the Copa del Rey as they secured a 0-1 win against Cacereno. Rodrygo scored the winner in the 70th minute, proving clutch yet again.

He has, however, been dropped in favour of Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice front three vs Villarreal.

Karim Benzema takes hold of the captain’s armband as the no. 9, flanked by Vinicius Jr. on the left and Federico Valverde on the right.

The second line of defence features Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as the advanced midfielders, with Aurelien Tchouameni behind them screening the back four. Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga drop out to the bench.

Presumably, Eder Militao has been given the nod ahead of Lucas Vazquez at right-back in the absence of Dani Carvajal, with Ferland Mendy on the opposite side.

In between them, we have Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba in central defence, guarding Thibaut Courtois, who starts in goal after recovering from his knock.

Eden Hazard, celebrating his 32nd birthday today, starts on the bench, along with Marco Asensio.

Interestingly, this will be the first time in the 21st century that Real Madrid will play without a Spanish player in the starting XI in a La Liga clash.