Under fire Real Madrid face difficult challenge in the form of Villarreal

Real Madrid have been under the magnifying glass following the Champions League loss to Lille midweek. Things don't look any easier as their next opponents are Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarine currently sit in third place in LaLiga, only a point behind Real Madrid and four behind leaders Barcelona.

Villarreal have already faced Barcelona this season and while they lost 5-1, the score is a little deceiving as the side managed by Marcelino had opportuntities to tie the score before the Catalans ran away with it.

While Madrid are only three points behind Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti's side has flattered to deceive both in LaLiga and the Champions League. However, Ancelotti is hoping the loss to Lille can serve as a wake-up call.

"This defeat can be a great opportunity if we are able to react well," Ancelotti said during his pre-match press conference. "The team didn't want to lose. We gave everything. We competed until the end. The reaction was good. We are on the right path. We are stronger than ever."

Results have gone Madrid's way for the most part this season but the performances have been left wanting. That's nothing new for Los Blancos but with Barcelona's strong start to the seasona and the fact they signed Kylian Mbappe over the summer, more was expected of them.

“Everyone can say what they want,” Ancelotti said. “The criticism is correct from what we saw on Wednesday. Sometimes there are moments when you have to reconnect and you have to do it quickly and fast sometimes. None of us like to lose, but sometimes a defeat reconnects you with reality.

Based on their performance against Barcelona, Villarreal are not a side to take lightly. They are dangerous in attack and had it not been for slightly being offside in the lead-up to three of their disallowed goals, could have very well gotten a result from that fixture.

It will be interesting to see whether Mbappe starts. He'd previously been ruled out for a handful of weeks with an injury but played in the second half against Lille. With the international break coming up and being left out of the France side, Ancelotti might opt to start him given he'll get a break.

A loss would be a blow to Real Madrid and if the alarm bells won't be ringing before, they certainly will be with anything less than a win. Not only would a loss see Villarreal pull ahead in the table, it would leave Barcelona with a golden opportunity to pull six points ahead should they pick up a win against Alaves on Sunday.