Real Madrid vs Villarreal at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid are back home. Villarreal visit the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday at 21:00 CEST, your team's first La Liga game at the Bernabéu in a month (1) (3). You sit fourth on 15 points from 7 games, and you come off a 1–2 derby defeat at Atlético Madrid on Sunday, September 20 (3).
The mood around the ground is the story. Spanish media are framing Saturday as a verdict night: thumbs up or thumbs down from the Bernabéu (1).
Mbappé probably out
Kylian Mbappé is likely to miss Villarreal (7). The previews have him down as recovering, so plan for a Madrid attack without him. No source confirms a return date.
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Mendy trains on grass again
Ferland Mendy will train on the pitch with his Real Madrid team-mates for the first time since his surgery (4). José Mourinho confirmed the step, and it matters: the recovery took longer than the club expected (4).
Atlético reopen the Valverde dispute
Federico Valverde was named in the Real Madrid squad 17 days after the club reported a grade-three ankle sprain, and Atlético Madrid have reopened the argument over that timeline (5).
Pedrerol: whistles help Barcelona
Some fans plan a pre-match protest at the Bernabéu. Josep Pedrerol says to think again, because whistles at the Santiago Bernabéu would benefit Barcelona (6).
