Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos will reportedly undergo shoulder surgery after the Clasico against Barcelona on November 21.
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James Rodriguez would still score a fantastic late strike to make it 3-2, but the damage was already done.
With the win in hand, Neymar added a few flare by scoring his graceful goal to take his league-leading tally to 11.
Benitez said he expected to see a different Madrid against Barcelona.
The 21-year-old striker opened the scoring with his fifth goal in a week as he flicked the ball over Enzo Roco before unleashing a spectacular volley into the top corner.
At Camp Nou, fifth-place Villarreal neutralized Barcelona’s superior possession in the first half, but it couldn’t keep up as Barcelona poured forward.
The two combined again, with Suarez finding Neymar who lifted the ball round Costa and knocked it home after 85 minutes.
Lacazette, last season’s league top scorer with 27 goals, scored a brilliant first goal in the 41st minute, pounced for the second in the 59th and rounded goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier to stroke in the third in injury time.
“I thought about the move before I did it, and I pulled it off”, Neymar said.
Rafael Benitez’s side enjoyed a better start to the second half and almost restored their lead in the 53rd minute but Toni Kroos’ effort from the edge of the area sailed just wide of the post.
That outcome looked highly unlikely in the opening stages as fit-again Gareth Bale had a header saved by Sergio Rico and Cristiano Ronaldo saw a shot blocked.
That deadly duo will continue in attack, while Claudio Bravo replaces Ter Stegen in goal and Gerard Pique, rested in midweek, will also be back in central defence.
Barcelona is performing surprisingly well without Messi.
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Juanfran meanwhile suffered a muscle strain in his left thigh in Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon. However, he netted five of those La Liga goals in one game, against an abject Espanyol, and discounting those he has made his worst start to a La Liga campaign since his debut season in 2009-10.
