Tchouaméni suspended for Real Madrid's crucial Villarreal clash

Real Madrid secured a hard-fought victory against Levante, with Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio scoring in the second half. This win is critical for Alvaro Arbeloa's side, moving them within one point of league leaders Barcelona and ahead of their crucial Champions League fixture against Monaco. However, the team faces a setback as Aurélien Tchouaméni has been suspended for the upcoming match against third-placed Villarreal.

Tchouaméni received a yellow card during the Levante game, ruling him out of the January 24th clash at the Estadio de la Cerámica. His absence in the holding midfield role is a significant blow, especially with Villarreal expected to pose a greater attacking threat than Levante. Coach Arbeloa faces difficult decisions regarding who will fill this pivotal position in the midfield.

Potential replacements for Tchouaméni include Dani Ceballos, who offers more attacking prowess, or considering a tactical shift with Fede Valverde moving deeper. Arda Guler's strong performance as a substitute against Levante also presents an option. The manager must weigh these choices carefully to maintain midfield stability and defensive security against a formidable Villarreal side.