Real Madrid will look to get back on track when they host Villarreal at the Bernabeu on 10 October at 20:00, with Kylian Mbappe available after a knee injury and Dean Huijsen suspended.
The timing matters for Jose Mourinho's side. Real Madrid were already six points behind Barcelona after seven La Liga matches, and the visit of Villarreal offers a quick chance to respond after the defeat to Atletico. Before this fixture, Madrid had won five of their first seven league games, but losses away to Real Betis and Atletico left them with work to do in the title race.
Mbappe returns as Madrid seek momentum
Mbappe's availability gives Real Madrid a useful boost. He sustained the knee injury during the international break, so his presence is significant for a team that has still managed to score 12 goals across its opening seven league matches. Even so, Madrid will need to balance that attacking lift with the absence of Huijsen at the back.
The Villarreal match also comes after a strong European start. Real Madrid won their first Champions League game at the Bernabeu against Inter, giving them a positive reference point at home. This will be one of three home fixtures in a busy stretch, and Madrid will hope that familiar setting helps them recover momentum.
What it means for the table
With Barcelona already ahead and Real Madrid trailing by six points, every result matters. A win over Villarreal would not fix everything, but it would steady the picture after the Atletico defeat and keep pressure on the teams above them. If Madrid can combine Mbappe's return with another home performance like the one against Inter, they will at least have a clearer route back into the race.
