Real Madrid was beaten to a 0-0 draw against Real Betis on Sunday, dropping nine points behind league-leading Barcelona. For the best sports betting casinos for march 2023, make sure you check out CasinoDaddy’s pages.
Ayoze Perez of Real Betis took the first effort, which goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois deflected over the crossbar before Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema had a goal disallowed for touching Antonio Rudiger’s arm with a free kick.
After the break, Claudio Bravo denied Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois stopped Borja Iglesias at point-blank range, respectively. Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes then squandered what may have been the game’s greatest opportunity by heading Federico Valverde’s cross-off goal.
As Real Madrid continues to fall behind, is the LaLiga championship race over?
Real Madrid will continue to compete until the end of the season because the club’s high standards demand no less, but after this draw, Barcelona’s lead over the competition’s leaders increased to nine points. It is difficult to imagine how Barca’s effective if unspectacular, team led by manager Xavi could lose that advantage.
The performance of Real Madrid here was not subpar. Real Betis are a strong club, and Stadium Benito Villamarin is a commanding venue, but Madrid was the stronger team, controlling possession, creating more opportunities, and winning the match with 1.21 anticipated goals to Betis’ 0.41. They were annoyed by some sloppy finishing and Claudio Bravo’s competent performance in the Betis goal.
Yet Madrid’s squad’s weaknesses were on full show as they searched for the winning goal. The substitutions of defenders Dani Carvajal and Nacho, midfielder Dani Ceballos, and youngster Alvaro Rodriguez all came in before the coach Carlo Ancelotti finally used the offensive options off the bench in the 87th minute.
Although a 0-0 draw in this match is not embarrassing, it is a stinging blow for Madrid since they just could not afford to lose any more ground in the championship chase.
Another game that raised questions about Karim Benzema’s potential to reach the extraordinary performance levels that won him the Ballon d’Or last season. Even though his free kick accidentally touched Rudiger’s arm as it into the goal, the 35-year-night old’s was otherwise frustratingly quiet.
Rodrygo, who had the option to play in his preferred position inside, behind a center-forward, with the flexibility to move around, and Valverde guarding the right side, was Madrid’s greatest offensive player. His shrewd mobility, close control, and capacity to engage opponents are the finest utilized in this function. Just a poor second-half miss let him down.
Vinicius Junior showed danger at times but was also distracted by arguments with Betis players and the referee, giving late replacement Alvaro little opportunity to make a difference. Madrid’s inability to score in this game strengthened the argument for them to add a top-tier attacker this summer.
They demonstrated here why they are strong candidates to finish in the top four of La Liga at the start of a momentous week for the club, which includes a Europa League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales, two of their most creative midfielders, were out, but they were still able to push Madrid to the brink. If Thibaut Courtois’ signature saves hadn’t been made, they may have won all three points.
Now in fifth place and three points behind Real Sociedad, Betis has the team to compete at the highest level despite the dual demands of LaLiga and European football for the time being. A top-four finish is absolutely necessary to earn a Champions League place.
