Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid slid onto a slippery patch that led to what could well be a costly defeat as they squandered their top spot lead in the league that they had secured in their earlier 2-0 win over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend. The Los Blancos were stunned in a 2-1 loss to Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday night, one that could eventually cost them the La Liga title.
Madrid midfielder, Casemiro, admitted that this crucial loss leaving them second with two points adrift of Barcelona in the table with 11 matches remaining could be the result that denies Madrid of the league title.
“They were superior and played better, there is no excuse, football is simple,” the midfielder said, via the club’s website.
“In La Liga every game is difficult. To win La Liga we have to play well in every game and we didn’t play well. We have to keep working hard, we have not been up to the task and we have not played like we did against Barcelona.”
“We are human too, but it could cost us the league title. We have to look at Eibar now.”
Zidane’s side had climbed back to the top of the table after their earlier 2-0 win over Barcelona but needed a win to return to first place after the Catalans edged out Real Sociedad in a 1-0 victory on Saturday. Unfortunately the Los Blancos were unable to control the chaotic game and failed to maintain the momentum from their victory in the El Clasico over Blaugrana into the Benito Villamarin that saw them flounder in a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis.
Los Blancos were wobbly in the first half and Sidnei took advantage of this to give Betis the lead after 40 minutes when he slammed home a loose ball into the top corner of the goal. The celebrations were shortlived as Sidnei soon descended from his hero stature to villain deep into added time at the end of the first half when he cut down Marcelo and was forced to concede Madrid a penalty.
Karim Benzema’s penalty cancelled out Sidnei’s opener to set both sides level in the first half but the ultimate winner came for Real Betis in the 82nd-minute when Cristian Tello scored.
Madrid defender Raphael Varane urged his team to continue fighting late in the campaign.
“We lacked a lot of intensity, especially in the first half. We didn’t play at the pace we wanted to and we let the opponents have the ball,” he said.
“We’re dropping important points, but we’re confident we can fight until the end. We’re trying very hard to get back to the top of the league and today was a drop in quality from everyone.”
“We still have a lot of games left to play and we’re confident we’re going to get that intensity back.”
Manager Zinedine Zidane immediately assumed reponsibility for the loss while describing the match as the worst of the season for Real.
“We didn’t get anything today, and I’m to blame for it. I have to look at what happened; we’re going to fight the league to the end,” Zidane said post-match.
“I am with my players till the death. I am responsible here. We will analyse what happened and move on.”
“We played badly. Many mistakes. We lacked everything, play, possession, aggression, our worst game of season. Didn’t deserve to win. We can’t be happy. We started badly, and could not correct it. I’ve no explanation at moment, we just lacked a bit of everything.”
Zidane and his side are now two points behind Barca again with 11 games left to play for the La Liga title.