Real Madrid’s dismal 0-0 draw against Real Betis on Sunday marked the end of a challenging week and did little to improve their chances of catching Barcelona in the LaLiga title chase.
Real controlled against Betis but squandered several opportunities after dropping the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal by a score of 1-0 at home to Barca on Thursday.
the Kirkland As Madrid was shut out once more, is the LaLiga race over?
Barcelona leads with 62 points, nine more than Real, who is in second place but has already had two straight draws. With 41 points, Betis sits in fifth position and three points outside of the Champions League spots.
“We’ll carry on battling. There are still many games to be played in March, according to Real defender Lucas Vazquez, who spoke to Movistar Plus. “We earned enough to be deserving of more. We are unhappy with the outcome since we were off course in the last stretch. I implore the audience to keep believing in us. We will fight until the end for the three titles we are contending in.”
Real Madrid dominated the action in Seville, but an often dangerous Betis was continually posing a threat to Thibaut Courtois’ goal in a game that needed a goal.
Madrid’s
Real Madrid has been having trouble up front after a 5-2 victory at Liverpool in their round-of-16 Champions League first-leg matchup.
In their last three games in all competitions, they have only managed one goal, coming from a set piece in the 1-1 tie with Atletico Madrid.
ALSO READ: Simeone, the manager of Atletico, yells at the officials following a Real Madrid red card in a derby.
At Betis they started strongly but Karim Benzema’s effort from a free kick was ruled out in the 12th minute as the ball bounced off Real defender Antonio Ruediger’s hand before going in.
The visitors kept pushing and Federico Valverde almost scored but his thundering drive soared inches above the bar.
The tension and intensity rose in the second half, with Real going all out to achieve a win and Betis having opportunities of their own to shock the LaLiga and Champions League holders.
Betis’ Claudio Bravo made a great save from a Benzema strike to deny Real an opener soon after the break and Courtois performed his own miracle to deny Borja Iglesias from point-blank range with a one-handed save.
Rodrygo then lost two fantastic opportunities when he passed to Benzema instead of completing and then missed an absolute sitter from close range following a Valverde cross.
Substitute Dani Ceballos also squandered a chance and Bravo kept out close-range attempts by Nacho and Benzema.