BARCELONA: Real Madrid needs to bounce back from its thrashing in last weekend's Spanish capital derby when it hosts a red-hot Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga.

Xabi Alonso's side was embarrassed when it lost 5-2 at Atletico Madrid, marking the first time its crosstown rival scored five times in the derby in 75 years.

That loss let Barcelona take the lead. Madrid is one point back in second, and Villarreal only two points back in third.

Key matches

Against Atletico, practically the entire starting XI of Madrid disappointed. Jude Bellingham was making his first start of the season after being sidelined by a shoulder surgery in the summer, and the rust was evident. Newcomers Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras, both defenders, and regular midfielder Federico Valverde were also criticized

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