Madrid enters Saturday’s meeting with Villarreal carrying the aftertaste of a derby defeat and a fresh conversation around Kylian Mbappé. The French forward has been cleared to start at the Santiago Bernabéu, where José Mourinho’s side need a response after losing 2-1 to Atlético de Madrid in the seventh round of LaLiga.
Real Madrid sit fourth in the 2026/27 standings on 15 points, six behind leaders Barcelona. Villarreal arrive in the capital in ninth place with eight points, making the contest on 10 October an important opportunity for the home side to regain ground. Kick-off is scheduled for 16:00 Brasília time, with Cazé TV carrying the match.
Mbappé had worried Madrid during the international break after hurting his left knee while scoring the only goal in France’s 1-0 win over Turkey. He has since completed the week’s training sessions without restriction, and Mourinho confirmed that the striker will begin against Villarreal.
His availability comes after scrutiny surrounding his conduct away from the pitch. Reports this week said there had been unease within the club after Mbappé was seen at a Paris nightclub and later posted a photograph of himself cycling in Switzerland. Mourinho, however, made clear that he would judge players on whether they meet the standards required in Madrid.
“I hope the Bernabéu will be fair,” Mourinho said. “To be fair is to be intelligent: to read between the lines, understand the circumstances and understand the objectives. I promise that if a Real Madrid player does not behave as a Real Madrid player should, fails in his duties as a footballer or as a citizen, you will not see that player even on the bench.”
Selection picture in Madrid
Mourinho remains without Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Raúl Asencio because of injury, while Dean Huijsen is suspended. Mbappé’s return therefore gives the coach a major attacking option alongside Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler.
Real Madrid are expected to line up with Thibaut Courtois in goal; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Antonio Rüdiger and Álvaro Carreras in defence; Aurélien Tchouaméni and Bernardo Silva in midfield; then Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius and Mbappé.
Villarreal, coached by Iñigo Pérez, are likely to select Péter Gulácsi; Santiago Mouriño, Jorge Cuenca Navarro, Renato Veiga and Sergi Cardona; Santi Comesaña and Pape Gueye; Ilias Akhomach, Alberto Moleiro and Nicolas Pépé; with Georges Mikautadze leading the attack.
