Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid: Match review
The match, which the visitors played terribly barring the first 20-25 minutes, sees them face a loss off the back of a terrible performance, consequently resulting in losing crucial ground in La Liga title race.
The game began with Carlo Ancelotti's side starting on the front foot and a slick move by Kylian Mbappe was finished off by Brahim Diaz, who was teed up for a tap-in inside the box by Ferland Mendy.
The way proceedings began, it seemed as if Madrid would march on to earn three vital points and end Saturday as league leaders, but that was not to be as an emphatic response by the home side followed.
After being put under the cosh at the start, Betis started showing more intensity in their game and won the lion's share of duels, tackles as well as second balls.
Real Madrid, having used Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric in the interior of the pitch, lacked energy and were vulnerable on the flanks, which Antony and Isco made good use of while Youssouf Sabaly and Ricardo Rodriguez also played superbly as full backs.
A response from Manuel Pellegrini's side followed after the half-hour mark after Isco's superb delivery through a corner was headed home by Johnny Cardoso. The American did well to lose his marker, Antonio Rudiger, to power an attempt past Thibaut Courtois. He had a chance for a second goal moments before half-time but was repelled by a solid save by the Belgian.
In the second period, Madrid failed to have any control after the half got underway and 10 minutes thereafter, conceded a penalty after Rudiger fouled Jesus Rodriguez.
Former Real Madrid man Isco stepped up and dispatched his effort clinically past Courtois, who guessed right but was beaten for pace. Within 30 minutes of scoring, Madrid had unravelled and looked largely outplayed all game.
Carlo Ancelotti's substitutions did not yield much either as Real Betis were head and shoulders above Los Blancos, individually as well as collectively. There was not a single player from the visiting team who deserved any plaudits for his efforts, in all fairness. The manager's decision of resting Raul Asencio particularly backfired as neither David Alaba nor Rudiger seemed up to the challenge.
Meanwhile, it was another substandard game by Lucas Vazquez at right back, who was visibly targeted by Isco and Rodriguez. That reduced Rodrygo's offensive output as he had to track back more often than he would have liked.
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe were also shadows of themselves, whereas Arda Guler and Endrick also looked tired after labouring in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad only three days ago.
A performance that would otherwise go down as an aberration might now have seismic ramifications on Real Madrid's title defence, although they have little to rue about the performance and must now turn their attentions to the Champions League.
Los Merengues host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, March 4th, at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of their round of 16 in the European Cup.
Although Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham will remain out of the game, Federico Valverde is expected to return and it will be interesting to see whether the Uruguayan replaces Vazquez at right back or slots straight into midfield.
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