Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Betis on Sunday to drop nine factors behind leaders Barcelona on top of the LaLiga table.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tipped an early shot from Genuine Betis forward Ayoze Perez over the bar before demonstrator Karim Benzema had a goal genuine Madrid disallowed when his cost-free kick touched Antonio Rudiger’s arm on its method right into the rear of the net.
Claudio Bravo made a save money on Benzema after halftime, and Courtois rejected Borja Iglesias with a point-blank quit at the other end, before Genuine Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes missed out on possibly the game’s ideal chance, skying Federico Valverde’s cross off target.
Rapid reaction
1. Is the LaLiga title race over as Real Madrid keep losing ground?
Actual Madrid will certainly keep dealing with up until completion of the season– the club’s high standards require absolutely nothing much less– but this draw saw Barcelona’s lead on top of LaLiga encompassed 9 points, as well as it’s difficult to envisage a circumstance in which Barca’s effective, if unimpressive, team under manager Xavi wastes that benefit.
Genuine Madrid’s performance right here was not bad. Real Betis are a great group as well as the Estadio Benito Villamarin is a challenging sector, but Madrid were the much better side, controling belongings, developing even more opportunities and also finishing the video game with an anticipated goals of 1.21 to Betis’ 0.41. They were discouraged by some bad finishing, and also a strong screen by veteran Claudio Bravo in the Betis goal.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga & more (UNITED STATE).
– Read on ESPN+: Discussing Newcastle’s resurgence.
As Madrid went after a winner, nonetheless, the restrictions of their squad were on display. Train Carlo Ancelotti showed up hesitant to present striking choices off the bench, with protectors Dani Carvajal as well as Nacho as well as midfielder Dani Ceballos all sent out on before youngster Alvaro Rodriguez was finally contacted in the 87th minute.
A 0-0 draw here is no embarrassment, yet in the context of a title race where Madrid just could not afford to go down anymore points, it’s a bitter strike.
2. Rodrygo almost made up for Madrid’s below-par attack
This was another video game that fed the uncertainties around Karim Benzema’s capacity to return to the out-of-this-world performance degrees that gained him the Ballon d’Or in 2014. Yes, he was a little unlucky that his totally free kick combed Rudiger’s arm on its means right into the net, however otherwise, this was a disappointingly silent evening for the 35-year-old.
The best of Madrid’s attack was Rodrygo, taking pleasure in the uncommon chance to play in his favoured role– inside, behind a centre-forward, with freedom to wander, and also with Valverde covering the right side. It’s a duty that gets the very best out of his smart activity, close control and ability to take gamers on. He was just pull down by a bad second-half miss.
Vinicius Junior looked dangerous at times, however distracted at others, obtaining captured up in conflicts with Betis gamers as well as the referee, while late substitute Alvaro barely had whenever to make an effect. Madrid’s failing to rating here contributed to the situation for a top-level addition to their assault this summertime.
3. Betis impress without best players, poised for Champions League
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis are a correct team, as well as at the start of a huge week for the club– they encounter Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday– they revealed right here why they’re major contenders to complete in the LaLiga leading four.
With perhaps their most talented gamers– imaginative midfielders Nabil Fekir and also Sergio Canales– both lacking, they still took care of to press Madrid to their limits, and also can have come away with all three factors were it not for some hallmark saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Betis are now fifth, three factors behind Actual Sociedad, but with the Basque side revealing indicators of tiring, Betis have the team to copulate, despite having the twin needs– for now– of LaLiga as well as European football. A top-four surface to secure a Champions Organization area is in complete sight.
Best and worst performers
Best: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid
He was Madrid’s finest player and created Betis genuine troubles getting forward on the right.
Best: Claudio Bravo, Real Betis
The goalkeeper made a variety of crucial saves.
Best: Aitor Ruibal, Real Betis
Although the breakthrough never came, he was possibly Betis’ most hazardous gamer in assault.
Worst: Borja Iglesias, Real Betis
He had a challenging evening in assault as well as fell short to make an influence.
Worst: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
It was another underwhelming performance from Actual Madrid’s star striker, and one more disallowed objective.
Worst: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid
He was unable to apply his usual impact in midfield.
After the match: What the managers and players said
Real Madrid supervisor Carlo Ancelotti on the performance: “It was a difficult game, most of all due to the fact that we might have been much more efficient in assault, we had opportunities, we might have done better with them. We lacked effectiveness. That’s the fact, in these video games we’ve only racked up from a set item, it’s obvious what’s doing not have, we need to be more effective. We have the top quality, we have to do better, a lot more reliable, more clinical. It’s a moment like that, we have to enhance.”.
Ancelotti on whether Genuine Madrid can still win the LaLiga title race: “Yes, it’s possible– it isn’t difficult, so it’s possible. It’s really challenging but we will combat up until completion and we’ll see. … It’s quite uncommon for Madrid to score one goal from an established piece in three [league] video games. We scored five at Anfield, so it’s unusual.”.
Ancelotti on why his team really did not pump more rounds right into package to require Real Betis to protect extra: “I agree. Sometimes we really did not select the best solution, [Eder] Militao played an amazing game in protection with Rudiger, however we lacked that, choosing the most effective option, dribbling when you should not, attempting a one-two, passing rather than shooting. It isn’t a specific issue, it’s a collective trouble.”.
Real Madrid right-back Lucas Vazquez in the result: “The group deserved to get something a lot more here, we did not have being a bit extra clinical in the final third, that final sphere, to be able to develop clearer possibilities. We aren’t delighted with the draw in any way.”.
Vazquez on whether the title race is over: “Never. It’s March. We know it’s difficult, it’s a huge gap however we’ll deal with up until the end, our company believe we can turn it around.”.
Secret statistics (offered by ESPN Statistics & Information research study).
After racking up in their first 29 video games this season in all competitors, Real Madrid have been shut out for the 4th time in their last 11 games.
Genuine Madrid have had seven goals overturned by VAR this period in LaLiga, one of the most by any kind of group in Europe’s top five leagues this period in advance of a/c Milan (6) and also RB Leipzig and Juventus (5 each).
Last Updated: 06 March 2023
