Real Madrid will return from the international break with little room for another setback, and Villarreal midfielder Alberto Moleiro is fully aware of the pressure awaiting Jose Mourinho's side.
The two teams will meet on October 10 as La Liga resumes, with Madrid already six points behind leaders Barcelona after suffering two defeats during the opening stages of the campaign.
Villarreal, meanwhile, head into the fixture with ambitions of their own.
Their upcoming schedule is unforgiving, with Real Madrid followed by Napoli and Liverpool , but Moleiro sees the demanding run as an opportunity rather than something to fear.
Speaking to AS , the midfielder made it clear that Villarreal have no intention of simply trying to survive their visit to Madrid.
The scale of Villarreal's schedule has not escaped Moleiro, as facing three high-profile opponents in quick succession would test any squad,
However, the midfielder believes these are precisely the matches that make football worthwhile.
Villarreal visit Santiago Bernabeu after the international break. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
"Yes, it's a tough one, but a great one. As someone who loves football, I love being able to play in those matches.
"But anyway, let's take it in our stride, enjoy it and give it our all."
Real Madrid's two defeats have already increased the importance of every league fixture.
So, dropping further points against Villarreal would make their early deficit even more difficult to overcome.
Moleiro knows that situation gives the hosts additional motivation, but he insists Villarreal have just as much reason to attack the game.
Villarreal are not approaching the match just as an opportunity to exploit Madrid's difficult start.
Moleiro acknowledged the pressure on the home side while making it clear that Villarreal's own ambitions will shape their approach.
Alberto Moleiro is aware of Real Madrid's situation. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
"Yes, we know how important it is for them to win and how badly they need it, but then again, we need to win too and we want to win because we want to be up there.
"And if we want to be up there, we have to compete in these kinds of matches, win them and show that we want to be there. And I think we can do it, so let's see what happens."
Villarreal's confidence comes partly from how they have responded to difficult moments already this season, having lost three of the seven league matches.
Moleiro pointed to the draw against Levante and the earlier match in Malaga as examples of the team's ability to recover when games have gone against them.
"Yes, ultimately I think this hardship is going to make us stronger. It's not easy. The other day, when Levante drew with us, we were mentally strong enough to push on and come from behind.
"I think we've done that, just as we did in Malaga. And we've already shown we're capable of doing it again.
"I think we've already faced all the difficulties that might come our way at the start of this league campaign, and I reckon everything's going to work in our favour now because we're learning a lot,"he concluded.
