Barcelona, April 25: Another stumble by Real Madrid has cleared the path for Atlético Madrid and Barcelona to dethrone the sitting Spanish league champion.
Zinedine Zidane’s side produced a toothless attacking performance in drawing at home with Real Betis 0-0 on Saturday.
Even though coach and players denied they were caught looking ahead to their Champions League semifinal with Chelsea, Madrid mustered up one of its most lackluster performances of the season just when the title is on the line.
Madrid was left two points behind leader Atlético Madrid, which can take a big step toward its first title since 2014 if it wins at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Barcelona also has the chance to move ahead of the defending champion. Lionel Messi’s side has two more games to play than its two title rivals, with its first coming at Villarreal also on Sunday. “No matter what happens, we will keep fighting until the end. I don’t think (Atlético and Barcelona) will win all their matches,” Zidane said.
The slip came three days before Madrid hosts Chelsea in their first of two games in the European semifinal.
The closest the hosts came to scoring under steady rain at its Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium was Rodrygo’s errant cross hitting the crossbar in the 55th minute. Ten minutes later, Madrid needed defender Éder Militão to disrupt Borja Iglesias’ shot after Diego Lainez set him up on the break.
Betis, coached by former Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini, remained in sixth place after just one loss in the last 11 rounds. Pellegrini said, “In recent weeks we have shown that no team is superior to us.”
A late goal by Spain left back José Gayà salvaged Valencia a 1-1 draw with Alavés. Gayà finished off a shot by Maxi Gómez saved by Alavés goalie Fernando Pacheco in the 90th to cancel out John Guidetti’s goal just five minutes before. Valencia’s winless run reached five games as it stayed in 14th place. Elche striker Lucas Boyé scored in the first half to help beat Levante 1-0 and lift his team out of the relegation zone. Valladolid was left in the drop zone after Cádiz fought back for a 1-1 draw. (AP)
