RAUL ALBIOL NEWS

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

Completes training session Albiol (undisclosed) participated in Wednesday's first-team training session in the lead-up to the La Liga opener versus Betis on Sunday.

Impact Albiol didn't get into action during the preseason for Villarreal, so it seems unlikely he will jump right into the starting XI against Betis. Still, the defender featured in 24 of his 25 La Liga appearances for the club last season, so he should be in contention for a spot on the pitch once given the all-clear.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out for season finale Albiol (undisclosed) is not in Villarreal's match day squad for Sunday's clash against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Albiol ends the campaign with eight clean sheets from 25 La Liga appearances (24 starts) in central defense, another slight decrease in playing time compared to last season as he missed most of April and May with injuries. The 37-year-old has one more year left on his contract with Villarreal heading into the summer.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Bilbao Albiol is not in Villarreal's match day squad to face Athletic Club on Saturday.

Impact Albiol extended his contract with Villarreal for another year this week, but he is not available for selection on Saturday. The 37-year-old center-back only featured in two of his side's last seven La Liga matches since the start of April.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes bench Sunday Albiol is fit and in the match day squad to face Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Impact Albiol returns from an undisclosed injury which has kept him out of Villarreal's previous two matches. The defender starts from the bench with Pau Torres and Aissa Mandi partnering in the center of defense.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined again Thursday Albiol (undisclosed) will be unavailable versus Espanyol on Thursday.

Impact Albiol will be shelved for the fourth time in the last five contests due to his lingering injury concerns. Prior to his initial absence, the central defender had started eight straight contests in which he racked up 35 clearances along with 10 tackles (nine won), three blocks and three interceptions. In his stead, Pau Torress and Aissa Mandi figure to hold down the middle of the back line.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Sevilla Albiol is not in Villarreal's match day squad for Sunday's clash against Sevilla.

Impact Albiol has been limited to just one La Liga appearance off the bench since the March international break, and he's missing out once again on Sunday. Aissa Mandi gets another start alongside Pau Torres in central defense in his absence.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Rayo Vallecano Albiol (undisclosed) will be in the starting XI to face Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

Impact Alboil returns following a two-game stint on the sidelined due to his undisclosed injury. Prior to his absence, the central defender started four of the club's previous five contests in which he recorded 17 clearances, five interceptions and three tackles (two won). Considering Albiol hasn't recorded a single shot on target this season, fantasy players probably shouldn't be expecting much out of him in terms of offensive production.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent versus Girona Albiol is unavailable for Sunday's clash with Girona.

Impact Albiol likely suffered an unspecified injury in the past game, which he left at intermission, and he's not an option for this one. Jose Cuenca and Pau Torres are partnering in the middle of the defense.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE