Real Madrid have thrown away points yet again, further confirming that absolutely no one is interested in winning La Liga. Following a weekend in which all of the contenders dropped points, they've failed to win again, drawing 1-1 with Real Valladolid. They're now four points behind Atlético Madrid with two games to go.
Real Valladolid vs. Real Madrid: Final score 1-1, no one wants to win La Liga
Atlético Madrid and Barcelona are celebrating after another poor Real Madrid performance.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Madrid were handed a massive setback just eight minutes into the match. They were already without Gareth Bale, who was left out of the 18-man squad for this match, and they quickly lost Cristiano Ronaldo as well. He pulled up hurt and had to be replaced by Alvaro Morata. Thankfully, the injury does not look serious -- Ronaldo was standing on the sidelines cheering his teammates on -- but his side still looked poor without him.
Despite their poor performance, Madrid did find a goal in the 35th minute, through a source that would have been considered unlikely just a month ago, but no longer. Sergio Ramos scored with a brilliant direct free kick from 25 yards out, netting his fifth goal in four games.
Ramos nearly netted his sixth in four just before the halftime break, but missed a great chance, putting a header just wide off a set piece. Eventually, he would come to regret that miss.
Madrid looked somewhat content with their one-goal lead in the second half. They weren’t negative and definitely had more of the ball than their opponents, but their attack lacked bite and they consistently looked under threat on the counter. Eventually, they conceded what Valladolid will probably feel was a well-deserved equalizer.
Still, despite Madrid's poor performance and Valladolid's solid effort, the goal was a lucky one. Substitute Humberto Osorio was the scorer, and he needed some help. He got on the end of a corner and directed a header toward the goal from 12 yards out, but his shot bounced off the head of Asier Illaramendi. That changed the ball's trajectory in a manner that gave Iker Casillas no chance to make a save.
The visitors were frantic in the final minutes, pumping balls into the Valladolid box constantly, but never forced Jaime Merlo to make a save.
Real Valladolid: Merlo, Rukavina, Valiente, Mitrovic, Peña, Gonzalez (Larsson 64’), Rubio, Bergdich, Perez (Bareja 82’), Jeffren (Osorio 74’), Guerra
Goals: Osorio (85’)
Real Madrid: Casillas, Coentrao, Ramos, Pepe, Nacho, Di Maria, Alonso, Modric, Ronaldo (Morata 8’), Benzema (Marcelo 77’), Isco (Illaramendi 73’)
Goals: Sergio Ramos (35’)
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