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Canadian duo leads Villarreal into battle with Real on TSN+

It finally happened last week.

Real Madrid lost its first match under Xabi Alonso, but it wasn’t any regular defeat. Los Blancos were absolutely torn apart by Atletico in the season’s first edition of the Madrid derby last weekend by a score of 5-2. Argentina forward Julian Alvarez had a brace for Atleti in a match that Real actually led at halftime.

Alonso’s side bounced back in the Champions League, as was expected, with a 5-0 win over Kazakh minnows Kairat, who are just happy to be in Europe’s top club competition, powered by a Kylian Mbappe hat trick.

The real test of Los Blancos’ ability to rebound comes on Saturday at the Bernabeu when they host Canadian duo Tani Oluwaseyi and Tajon Buchanan and high-flying Villarreal. Through seven matches, the Yellow Submarine sit third in the table on 16 points, only two behind Real in second and three adrift of leaders Barcelona.

_**You can catch Real Madrid vs. Villarreal LIVE on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET/ Noon PT exclusively on TSN+.**_

The major talking point heading into Saturday’s match will be Fede Valverde and his apparent rift with Alonso. Despite being the player made available to media ahead of the Champions League game – traditionally, an indication that said player would be starting in the match – Valverde did not start and did not play. In fact, the Uruguay midfielder appeared to be warming up rather leisurely on the touchline during the match, not looking at all like he was prepared to enter.

Then, after the match, came an odd tweet.

> He leído varios artículos dañando mi persona. Sé que he tenido partidos malos, soy consciente. No me escondo y doy la cara. Realmente estoy triste. De mí pueden decir muchas cosas, pero bajo ningún punto de vista pueden decir que me niego a jugar. He dado todo y más por este…

>

> — Fede Valverde (@fedeevalverde) [October 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/fedeevalverde/status/1973374318634533271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

“I’ve read several articles that have been damaging to me,” Valverde wrote. “I know I’ve had bad matches, I’m aware of that. I’m not hiding anything, and I’m open about it. I’m truly sad. You can say many things about me, but under no circumstances can you say I refuse to play. I’ve given everything and more for this club. I’ve played through fractures and injuries, and I’ve never complained or asked for a break.”

So, what’s this all about? Well, Real is absolutely riddled with injuries in the back right now.

Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger is out until December with a hamstring issue. France left-back Ferland Mendy is sidelined with a thigh problem, while England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) and captain Dani Carvajal (muscle) are also out for the near term. It’s the latter two injuries that are related to the Valverde situation.

Alexander-Arnold, signed from Liverpool on what was essentially a Bosman this past summer, picked up his injury in last month’s Champions League opener against Marseille. Carvajal, who would replace Trent in the starting XI, then got hurt in the Atleti loss. Thin at right back, the speculation was that Alonso would turn to Valverde. A central midfielder by trade, Valverde had been employed elsewhere, including at right-back, in the past by Carlo Ancelotti, but he had made it very clear that he saw himself as a midfielder.

When Valverde did not play on Wednesday, speculation grew that he refused Alonso’s assignment at right-back. The outcry was enough that it prompted Valverde’s tweet. Still, Valverde denies there is an issue, and the manager has not communicated one. Saturday’s lineup will be telling as to whether or not there is fire to this smoke.

As for the visitors, Marcelino’s side has won five of their nine matches across all competitions to open the season, including a 1-0 victory over Athletic in their most recent league action last weekend. The team is still looking for their first Champions League victory, however. They followed up a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their opener with a 2-2 draw this past Tuesday against Jonathan David and Juventus.

The Yellow Submarine’s quick start has been helped by its two Canada players. Buchanan, 26, spent the second half of last season on loan with the club from Inter. He made a permanent move in the summer and rewarded Villarreal’s faith in him with a hat trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Girona on Aug. 24. His three goals lead the team in scoring.

Oluwaseyi, 25, signed for the team from Minnesota United on Aug. 29. He recorded an assist in Villarreal’s 2-1 win over Osasuna on Sept. 20. He notched his first goal for the team three days later in a 2-1 victory over Valencia.

Historically, the rivalry between the two teams has been incredibly one-sided, especially during league play. Los Blancos are 27-17-6 all-time against Villarreal in La Liga action, outscoring the Yellow Submarine by a total of 102-54. Real has lost just twice at the Bernabeu to Villarreal with the last defeat – a 3-2 loss – coming in April of 2023.

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