Misfiring Real Suffer Setback In Title Race
25 April, 2021
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis
Date: 24 April 2021
Venue: Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano
Real Madrid's LaLiga title hopes suffered a setback after playing to a goalless draw against Real Betis on Saturday evening.
Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio, Isco and Luka Modric received a return by the house side from the 3-0 victory over Cadiz on Wednesday, with Eden Hazard named on the substitutes’ bench.
Madrid were handed a major chance to take the lead through a minimal curling shot on 25 minutes by Karim Benzema, who managed to carve out a slight angle, but goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved.
A good penetrative delivery from out wide by the host followed suit nearer to the half-hour mark from Isco, but Bravo was once more on high alert and were able to parry.
Betis were under more pressure late in the half and were fortunate not to go behind from a move involving Benzema, but regrettably the Frenchman lacked decisiveness before goal.
The Green and Whites started the next stanza confident, but were almost pegged back from a cross-cum shot by Carlos Casemiro however were rescued by the frame of the woodwork.
A lighting counter-attack from the visitors on 56 minutes almost sliced open Madrid as Sergio Canales raced ahead to have a firm sight on goal, but in the finish dragged inches wide.
Betis had Los Blancos under further pressure inside 5 minutes after a first-time strike from Guido Rodriguez from a cutback by Borja Iglesias, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved.
Los Blancos instituted two changes midway through the next half in Marcelo for Isco and Alvaro Odriozola instead of Carvajal.
With Hazard also introduced ahead of Asensio, the match finished goalless with Madrid unable to close the gap on Atletico Madrid who are doing his thing on Sunday.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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