Real Madrid blew an opportunity to ramp up the stress on La Liga leaders Barcelona within the title race as they fell 2-1 at Villarreal in a disjointed show on Saturday. Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno‘s strikes both aspect of Karim Benzema‘s penalty had been sufficient to present the hosts a sixth consecutive victory throughout all competitions and dent the Spanish champions’ bid to retain the trophy. Madrid stay stage on factors with league leaders Barcelona, who face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, and this season the nation’s two giants appear destined to tussle over the title themselves.
Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect caught up with Barcelona final weekend after Xavi‘s crew drew with Espanyol within the Catalan derby, however Madrid haven’t began 2023 significantly properly.
Madrid’s slim Spanish Cup victory over fourth-tier opponents Cacereno was adopted by this bruising wake-up name on the renovated and newly reopened Estadio de la Ceramica, their second league defeat.
Ancelotti chosen a Madrid beginning line-up and not using a Spanish participant in it for the primary time within the membership’s historical past, in accordance with media studies in Spain.
Los Blancos have struggled away at Villarreal lately, with two wins in 11 visits, the final coming in 2017 when Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Alvaro Morata had been on the scoresheet.
Quique Setien’s aspect, constructing confidence after a tricky begin for the previous Barcelona coach, comprehensively outplayed Madrid within the first half, albeit with out the objective they craved.
Francis Coquelin hit the put up with an exquisite flick from Alberto Moreno‘s cross, whereas Dani Parejo fired large.
Gerard Moreno performed in Yeremy Pino however Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did brilliantly to thwart the Spanish winger as he tried to dribble spherical him.
Alex Baena drilled one effort large and curled one other narrowly over as Villarreal carved open Madrid’s sluggish defence at will.
Madrid, nonetheless struggling after the World Cup break, started to pry themselves in the direction of the top of the primary half.
Benzema selected poorly when racing by on objective with Vinicius in assist, crashing into final man Raul Albiol as a substitute of springing the Brazilian.
When the French ahead then did tee up Vinicius, he was denied by veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina, beginning after Geronimo Rulli’s transfer to Ajax.
Pino energy
Villarreal started the second half with the identical vigour and this time it did repay, with the electrical Pino slamming residence from Moreno’s cross.
Benzema instantly had an opportunity to equalise however dragged a shot inches large of the far put up after being slipped in by Vinicius.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner ultimately levelled from the spot after essentially the most marginal of handball choices was given towards Argentine World Cup winner Juan Foyth after an hour.
Villarreal had been infuriated however simply three minutes later had been gifted a tender penalty themselves when David Alaba slipped and touched the ball along with his hand.
Moreno despatched Thibaut Courtois the improper option to restore the hosts’ lead and so they clung to it tightly.
Rodrygo Goes fired large as Madrid hunted for an equaliser earlier than Vinicius sprinted by on objective however fired over the bar when he may need scored.
Madrid journey to Saudi Arabia subsequent to participate within the Spanish Super Cup — however first they face an anxious wait to see if Barcelona drop factors within the capital.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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