Federico Valverde of Real Madrid
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga tonight after the three-week international break as they take on Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having lost their previous game against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid will be eager to get back to winning ways, especially with Barcelona on track to secure three more points and extending their lead at the top.
Ahead of kickoff at the Santiago Bernabeu later tonight, manager Jose Mourinho has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Villarreal.
The big headline is that captain Federico Valverde is fit enough to start in midfield after having successfully recovered from the Grade 3 ankle sprain he had sustained during the derby defeat three weeks ago.
The Uruguayan international partners with Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park, while Jude Bellingham continues as the attacking midfielder for the hosts.
The other major news comes in the form of Jose Mourinho deciding to bench Vinicius Jr., with Yan Diomande starting on the left wing.
Arda Guler slots in on the right flank, while Kylian Mbappe, having recovered from the minor injury he sustained during the international break, spearheads the attack.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras get the nod as the two full-backs flanking the centre-back pairing of Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger. Thibaut Courtois guards the Real Madrid goal.
๐โ ยกNuestro XI inicial! ๐ @VillarrealCF ๐ @UnicajaBanco https://t.co/t37afOwsPA
โ Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 10, 2026
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