'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABf/aAAgBAQAAAABsD//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/2gAIAQIQAAAAL//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQMQAAAAP//EAB8QAAEEAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQGAAUREjFCcf/aAAgBAQABPwCv7qvbFgRc1sgwAR6gos+OPbgEyTApb8l14gsgK4amotyhEU+Jn//EABkRAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAAMRE//aAAgBAgEBPwDq9YxTP//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAgP/2gAIAQMBAT8AdLM//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Real Madrid rue missed chances
Despite Villarreal's valiant efforts against Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti's men were able to create five big chances in the game. It's a shame they failed to make them count.
Out of the five big chances, Bale had two, while Vinicius Jr, Luka Jovic and Nacho Fernandez had one apiece. Some rusty finishing combined with hard luck and brilliant keeping denied Real Madrid the chance to take away all three points. Karim Benzema's absence also exposed the Whites' shortcomings up front.
#2 Gareth Bale returns to action
Gareth Bale made an appearance for Real Madrid after 167 days. The Welshman made his last Los Blancos appearance against Real Betis on 29 August last year. With Benzema out with an injury, Ancelotti started with Bale as the striker up front.
However, the Welshman was non-existent for most of the first half, but drew a massive save from Rulli at the cusp of half-time. The 32-year-old collected a long pass from Casemiro, tried to clip over, but saw his effort saved.
The Welsh international had another one denied, as his shot clipped the woodwork.
#1 Ancelotti has one eye on the PSG game
With Real Madrid facing PSG in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Ancelotti made some risky decisions. The Italian rested Luka Modric and took off Vinicius Jr and Marco Asensio despite the game being goalless.
Moreover, the gamble to start Bale as a striker alongside Asensio and Vinicius was a big one, despite having a natural striker on the bench in the form of Jovic. It will be interesting to see how Real Madrid tussle it out against PSG in midweek.
