Jose Mourinho faces a crucial period at Real Madrid as his side look to close a six-point gap on LaLiga leaders Barcelona ahead of their highly anticipated El Clasico showdown on 25 October.
Real Madrid return from the extended international break sitting fourth in LaLiga after a difficult start to Mourinho's second spell in charge. Defeats against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid have left Los Blancos playing catch-up after just seven matches.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have made a perfect start under Hansi Flick, winning all seven league fixtures and scoring an impressive 31 goals.
With El Clasico approaching, Mourinho faces mounting pressure to restore consistency and prevent Barcelona from extending their advantage.
Mourinho returned to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, more than a decade after his first spell between 2010 and 2013.
However, his second tenure has already encountered significant challenges, with Madrid struggling to produce consistent performances against strong opposition.
"Obviously we want to be first, not second, third, fourth, or fifth. And we want more points than we have," Mourinho admitted before the international break.
Real Madrid face a demanding schedule before travelling to Camp Nou on 25 October.
They host Villarreal and Sevilla in LaLiga, alongside Champions League encounters against Roma and RB Leipzig.
Barcelona also face a challenging run, with domestic fixtures against Getafe and Real Betis, followed by European trips to Galatasaray and defending Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite those challenges, Flick's side enter the period full of confidence following their dominant start to the campaign.
For Mourinho, the next fortnight could prove decisive in determining whether Madrid can mount a serious title challenge.
One of Mourinho's biggest concerns is the inconsistent form of Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior.
Although the Portuguese manager has publicly defended the forward, he has acknowledged that Vinicius is not currently performing at his clinical best.
The Brazilian was substituted during Madrid's 2-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid and subsequently failed to score in international appearances against Australia and India.
With competition for attacking positions increasing, Vinicius must rediscover his form to secure his place in Mourinho's starting lineup.
Saturday's encounter against Villarreal offers the winger an opportunity to respond and regain confidence ahead of El Clasico.
Kylian Mbappe has remained one of Madrid's standout performers, scoring seven LaLiga goals despite the team's inconsistent results.
However, the France international suffered a minor knee injury while representing his country, raising concerns about his availability during a crucial period.
Mbappe also attracted attention after sharing a video of himself cycling on social media, despite Mourinho previously warning players against the activity because of potential injury risks.
The striker has faced additional scrutiny from sections of the Madrid fanbase over his efforts to promote his Ballon d'Or candidacy.
Supporter frustration has intensified following the club's failure to secure a major trophy across the previous two seasons.
With expectations exceptionally high, Mbappe's fitness and performances could prove vital to Madrid's chances of closing the gap on Barcelona.
Beyond individual performances, Real Madrid have struggled defensively under Mourinho.
Los Blancos have recorded just one clean sheet in eight matches across all competitions, highlighting their vulnerability against opposition attacks.
Their narrow Champions League victory over Inter Milan also exposed difficulties controlling matches, despite securing a positive result.
Mourinho has repeatedly criticised his players for failing to convert opportunities and allowing opponents to regain momentum.
Record signing Yan Diomande has also struggled to fully adapt to the team, adding another challenge for the Portuguese coach.
Although Madrid have shown signs of improvement following last season's disappointing campaign under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, their performances remain some distance from Barcelona's impressive consistency.
Mourinho has also expressed frustration with refereeing decisions, particularly following Madrid's derby defeat against Atletico on 20 September.
The Portuguese manager suggested his side had not been allowed to compete on equal terms.
"If they leave us alone, calmly, and let us compete on equal terms, there's still a long way to go," Mourinho said after the defeat.
However, complaints about officiating are unlikely to ease supporter concerns unless Madrid deliver improved results.
With Barcelona setting a relentless pace at the top of LaLiga, Mourinho must find solutions quickly to prevent the title race from slipping further out of reach.
Real Madrid's upcoming fixtures represent an important test of Mourinho's ability to rebuild the team and challenge Barcelona's domestic dominance.
Improving defensive organisation, restoring Vinicius Junior's confidence and managing Mbappe's fitness will be central to Madrid's preparations.
Barcelona currently hold the advantage in both form and league position, but El Clasico offers Madrid an opportunity to shift momentum.
For Mourinho, the challenge is clear: turn individual talent into a cohesive, competitive team capable of matching Flick's Barcelona.
The coming weeks could determine whether Real Madrid emerge as genuine LaLiga title contenders or face an increasingly difficult battle to catch their biggest rivals.
