Atletico Madrid kicks off their 2026-27 La Liga season at home against Villarreal, having not yet played a league game this year. Their late start presents a challenge as they face a Villarreal side that has already gained competitive experience this season, making it crucial for Atletico to quickly find their rhythm at home. Villarreal began their campaign with an exciting 2-2 draw against Racing Santander, showcasing their ability to score but also revealing some defensive weaknesses that plagued them at the end of the previous season. They come into this match following a significant win against Atletico in their last encounter, though Atletico will aim to deliver a vastly improved performance on their own turf. Atletico Madrid Aiming to Reestablish Home Dominance After a Rough Finish Last season ended poorly for Atletico, highlighted by a heavy 5-1 loss to Villarreal, which abruptly halted a run of strong performances. They had previously secured a 1-0 win against Girona, a 2-1 victory at Osasuna, and a 2-0 triumph over Valencia, with a solitary setback being a 1-0 loss to Celta Vigo in their last five La Liga matches. The three victories and three clean sheets during that stretch demonstrate Atletico's capability to control matches when their defense is functioning well. At home, they can tighten the game, aggressively regain possession, and raise the tempo when opponents are pushed back. While Villarreal poses an offensive threat, Atletico should find opportunities to take advantage of the gaps left by a team that conceded twice in their opening match. Villarreal Bringing Offensive Potential but Defensive Reliability in Question Villarreal's 2-2 draw against Racing Santander continued their trend of high-scoring games in recent league outings. Their last four matches last season featured a commanding 5-1 win over Atletico, a 2-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano, a 3-2 defeat at home to Sevilla, and a 1-1 draw against Mallorca.