Real Madrid had to settle for a point as they were held to a goalless draw by last season's Europa League winners Villarreal.
Match Report
After having their way in midweek versus Mallorca, it was the complete opposite for Carlo Ancelotti's men against the Yellow Submarine, who were resolute, organized and compact in turning away Los Blancos.
Ancelotti showed a wrinkle to his starting XI, as Fede Valverde slotted in at right-back and Nacho was at left-back. Luka Modric and Casemiro returned to midfield, along with Marco Asensio, and Rodrygo in attack.
The first scoring chance went the way of Villarreal, with Arnaut Danjuma hammering a shot that forced Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a stretch save.
There was some poking and prodding from Madrid, but nothing that gave Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli any trouble. If anything, Villarreal remained the better side and Dajuma again had a crack a goal, only to see his effort slice wide.
Ancelotti did not hesitate to make a change during the break, bringing on Eduardo Camavinga for Rodrygo and the home side were immediately better and came close on an Eder Militao header off an Asensio freekick.
Villarreal weren't going away either and it was all there for Paco Alcacer to give his side the lead, but couldn't not connect right in front of Courtois.
Later on Eden Hazard was brought on for Modric, as Madrid continued to push for a winner, followed by Isco for Asensio.
Isco nearly made an immediate impact with a header that was blocked by Rulli, resulting in a mad scramble in front of goal and ultimately a clearance.
Madrid committed everyone forward in the final minutes in search of the decisive goal, but Villarreal were unbreakable, leaving Los Blancos to rue two points lost at home.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Modric's long shot blocked
13' Groeneveld's shot stopped
21' Benzema's long shot wide out
31' Alcacer's shot stopped
38' Groeneveld's shot wide out
52' CHANCE! Militao's header wide out
56' Groeneveld's shot stopped
74' Vinicius' shot over the bar
83' Isco's header stopped
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Modric, Benzema, Alaba, Courtois, Casemiro, Nacho, Asensio, Valverde, Militao, Vinicius, Rodrygo
Subs: Hazard, Isco, Vazquez, Mariano, Jovic, Vallejo, A. Lunin, Antonio Blanco, Miguel Gutiérrez, E. Camavinga, Toni Fuidias
Villarreal XI: Albiol, Capoue, Parejo, Coquelin, G. Rulli, Alcacer, Moreno, Groeneveld, P. Torres, Foyth, Yeremy
Subs: Asenjo, Iborra, Gaspar, Mandi, Moi Gómez, Trigueros, R.Peña, P. Estupiñán, Pedraza, B. Dia