RAUL ALBIOL NEWS

Stout defensively Albiol recorded two tackles (one won) and seven clearances in Sunday's 2-0 defeat against Athletic.

Impact Albiol held strong in the defense Sunday despite his team's defeat, registering two tackles and a match-leading seven clearances in the loss. He has now started in all but three matches he has been available for this season, recording six interceptions, seven tackles and 59 clearances in 13 appearances.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Concedes penalty in draw Albiol had one clearance in Sunday's 2-2 draw versus Osasuna. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 19th minute.

Impact Albiol conceded a penalty due to a tackle on Ante Budimir in the 17th minute, which Budimir slotted home. Albiol also picked up a yellow card following the tackle after arguing to the referee. This is his second penalty conceded in the last four matches.

NOVEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Fit to start Albiol (knock) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Getafe.

Impact Albiol is good to go after dealing with a knock in the buildup to Sunday's match. The defender starts his second consecutive match alongside Eric Bailly in the heart of Villarreal's back four.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with knock Albiol is dealing with a knock and is expected to undergo a late fitness test to see if he'll be able to play against Getafe on Sunday, Javi Mata of Diario AS reports.

Impact It's unclear when Albiol picked up this knock, but he's been part of the starting lineup in training, so it seems things are trending in the right direction. The veteran center-back will be needed, as Villarreal figure to be quite depleted defensively for this contest due to a plethora of injuries and fitness issues.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Starts during loss Albiol recorded two clearances in Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid.

Impact Albiol was back in the lineup after being an unused option last match. He's started six times in seven appearances, already logging in 37 clearances through the first month of the season.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Unused off bench Albiol (head) went unused off the bench in Saturday's match against Las Palmas.

Impact Albiol took a blow to the head and received stitches but missed no time on the team sheet, as he was back on the bench Saturday. That said, the defender is fit to play moving forward. He will look to find the starting XI in his next appearance after starting in five of their eight matches to open the season.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Receives stitches, will train soon Albiol received stitches after suffering his head injury and is expected to return to training soon, according to his club.

Impact Albiol doesn't look to have picked up a major injury after being forced off the field Thursday, as he is already back with Villarreal and plans on training in the coming days. That said, he will miss out on Monday's match against Las Palmas, possibly returning against Real Madrid on Oct. 5.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off with head injury Albiol was forced off in the first half of Thursday's match against Espanyol due to a head injury.

Impact Albiol left the match in the 36th minute being replaced by Eric Bailly following a clash of heads. The defender's status for Monday's match against Las Palmas is now in doubt.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Shines defensively in draw Albiol made nine clarances and three blocks and was shown a yellow card during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Valencia.

Impact Albiol had another brilliant performance at the heart of the defense, prevailing against opposing forwards and pacing all players in both clearances and blocks. Despite coming off the bench in one of his four appearances, the veteran center-back still ranks second among all La Liga players with 28 clearances.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Signs contract extension Albiol has signed a contract extension with Villarreal until the end of the 2024/25 season, the club announced Thursday.

Impact The veteran center-back is not thinking about retiring yet, and he's set to play another season at Villarreal, where he figures to hold down a regular spot in the starting lineup as long as he's healthy. Albiol started in 24 of his 26 league appearances with Villarreal in the 2023/24 campaign.

JULY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Plays second half Albiol had one tackle (zero won) and one interception in Sunday's 4-4 draw versus Real Madrid.

Impact Albiol came off the bench to play the second half of Sunday's match. It was his first appearance since May 5, having missed the last two matches with an injury. He's managed to record four goals in the last five games played, totaling nine tackles, 11 clearances and four blocks in that span.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Available from bench Albiol (undisclosed) is available from the bench during Sunday's match against Real Madrid.

Impact Albiol returns after missing Villarreal's last two matches through injury. The defender is a locked in starter when fit, but settles for a role on the bench to start Sunday's match.

MAY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled questionable Albiol (undisclosed) is set to be a fitness test for Sunday's match against Real Madrid, confirmed manager Marcelino. "Albiol has been involved this week, training individually, th...

Impact With Kiko Femenia suspended, this could cause some changes to the back line for Villarreal if Albiol is ruled out. Yerson Mosquera will likely move to right back, with Aissa Mandi an option to enter the starting XI if needed. The defender also missed last match with an injury, starting the last four matches in a row since Apr 1.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to starting XI Albiol recorded three tackles (one won) and four clearances in Sunday's 3-0 victory versus Rayo Vallecano. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 90th minute.

Impact Albiol returned to the starting XI Sunday after missing the previous match due to a yellow card suspension. The veteran defender's four clearances led the way for Villarreal's clean sheet effort as they defeated Rayo Vallecano by a margin of 3-0. Albiol has been in and out of the lineup lately due to injury and disciple issues. Over Villarreal's last nine matches, Albiol has appeared in just three (three starts). On the whole, Albiol has featured 24 times (23 starts) for Villarreal and provided one assist on the campaign.

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Set for suspension return Albiol completed his one-game suspension and is eligible to face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Impact The veteran center-back has been a regular name in Villarreal's defensive line, and he is expected to return to the starting lineup right away in his center-back role. Albiol has started in all but one of his 23 league outings this season.

APRIL 22 • ROTOWIRE

Shown fifth yellow of season Albiol received his fifth yellow card of the season in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Athletic Club and will miss the team's next game against Almeria on Sunday due to suspension. Albio...

Impact Albiol has been a regular at the back for Villarreal and has been in the starting XI in each of the last 11 games he's been available for. The veteran defender will be eligible to return against Rayo Vallecano on April 28, and Aissa Mandi could be an option to replace him at center-back.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start Monday Albiol (calf) is in the starting XI for Monday's match against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Albiol is returning from his injury woes after five matches on the sidelined, having finally overcome a calf issue. The defender will now hope to remain in the starting XI moving forward, as he has now started in every match he has been available for since Dec. 9.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers calf injury Albiol has picked up muscle damage to his left calf and is expected to sit out indefinitely.

Impact Albiol has made 20 starts in 21 appearances in La Liga play this season, assisting once while logging in 91 clearances, 16 tackles (nine won) and 20 blocks while holding on to two clean sheets. In his absence, Yerson Mosquera will get the start at center back, alongside Eric Bailly for Villarreal.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Provides rare assist Albiol had an assist with his lone chance created while taking one shot, blocking a shot, making an interception and nine clearances during Friday's 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Albiol set up Santi Comesana in the 17th minute assisting the opening goal of the match while leading Villarreal with nine clearances. The assist was Albiol's first goal involvement since scoring twice in the Europa League during the 2020-21 season.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 90 minutes Sunday Albiol recorded two tackles (zero won), two clearances and two interceptions in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Cadiz.

Impact Albiol is back on the pitch after missing the last three matches with an undisclosed injury. He was able to return to his starting center back position, totaling 77 clearances, 16 tackles and 16 blocks in 18 appearances this season, 17 of them coming as starts.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Cadiz Albiol (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Cadiz.

Impact Albiol missed the last three matches, but is a locked in starter for Villarreal when fully fit having started in 17 of his 18 La Liga appearances. Albiol has helped Villarreal to one clean sheet while making 75 clearances.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Not far along from returning Albiol (undisclosed) is making good progress in his return, but will not be an option for Saturday's trip to Barcelona, per manager Marcelino. "Today is his second but we believe...

Impact Albiol could see a return to the pitch on Feb 4 as he returned to training Friday. Eric Bailly will see another start at center back alongside Jorge Cuenca until the defender returns, where he has started 16 of the 17 matches played in the back line, averaging about 4.4 clearances per contest.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Out once again Albiol (undisclosed) will be out for Saturday's contest against La Palmas, having not been named to the squad list.

Impact Alibol is still not ready for a return despite having two weeks to recover before the club's match due to the winter break, having been left out of the squad list with an undisclosed injury. Not much has been released on the player's status since going down with the knock, as manager Marcelino Garcia Toral only stated that the club has an injury plague heading into the contest instead of confirming what his players were dealing with. Albiol will hope to be healthy for the club's next match against Mallorca on Dec. 20, as he was a regular starter before encountering the issue.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off early Albiol was forced off just 17 minutes into Wednesday's clash with Valencia.

Impact Albiol made it just 17 minutes before coming off for Eric Bailly. The defender is a major loss, especially if this injury proves to be serious. Albiol's first chance to return to La Liga action will come against Las Palmas on Jan. 13, if he can't go Bailly would likely get the start.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to return Sunday Albiol (undisclosed) is expected to make a return for Sunday's clash with Betis, according to manager Quique Setien.

Impact Albiol suffered an undisclosed issue in pre-season but is expected to return before Sunday's league opener. The defender is a consistent option at the back and should be competing for consistent minutes in the first team when he recovers fully.

AUGUST 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE