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Betis deals Real's title chances a hefty blow
Source: Agencies |
November 26, 2012, Monday
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THE Spanish league is barely three months old, but Real Madrid's title defense is in serious danger after Real Betis midfielder Benat Etxebarria struck from long range to deal last season's champion a 0-1 loss on Saturday.
Real appeared to have put its struggles from earlier this season well behind it after stringing together five straight wins, but even with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka on the pitch, it failed to break through a Betis defense that had lost by four or more goals three times this season.
Jose Mourinho's team is in third place on 26 points and can find itself an imposing 11 points behind Barcelona if the league leader wins at Levante yesterday.
The largest deficit ever overcome by a team that went on to win La Liga was eight points by Rafa Benitez's Valencia in 2004.
Stern Mourinho
A stern Mourinho acknowledged that it would be "difficult" to repeat as domestic champions.
"I understand that our fans are pessimistic. It is very possible that we will arrive to the end of December 11, 12, 13 points behind," he said. "But it is still possible. We have to try to cut and cut and cut into (Barcelona's) lead."
After being routed 1-5 by Sevilla in the Seville derby just six days before, Pepe Mel's Betis appeared to be an easy target for a Real team that had just eliminated English champion Manchester City from the Champions League and was unbeaten in eight rounds.
But Betis emerged victorious thanks to an impressive physical display that never wavered through 90-plus minutes and Etxebarria's 17th-minute strike.
"It was a tough week for both the team and our fans. We deserved this win," a breathless Etxebarria said. "We had a good game plan and worked hard in defense. They didn't have many clear scoring chances and we had some more on the break."
It was Betis' second win in 22 games in all competitions against Real since 2001.
Betis climbed to fifth with 22 points, behind Malaga on goal difference after the Costa del Sol side returned to winning ways with a 4-0 rout at home to a desperately poor Valencia.
Real appeared to have put its struggles from earlier this season well behind it after stringing together five straight wins, but even with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka on the pitch, it failed to break through a Betis defense that had lost by four or more goals three times this season.
Jose Mourinho's team is in third place on 26 points and can find itself an imposing 11 points behind Barcelona if the league leader wins at Levante yesterday.
The largest deficit ever overcome by a team that went on to win La Liga was eight points by Rafa Benitez's Valencia in 2004.
Stern Mourinho
A stern Mourinho acknowledged that it would be "difficult" to repeat as domestic champions.
"I understand that our fans are pessimistic. It is very possible that we will arrive to the end of December 11, 12, 13 points behind," he said. "But it is still possible. We have to try to cut and cut and cut into (Barcelona's) lead."
After being routed 1-5 by Sevilla in the Seville derby just six days before, Pepe Mel's Betis appeared to be an easy target for a Real team that had just eliminated English champion Manchester City from the Champions League and was unbeaten in eight rounds.
But Betis emerged victorious thanks to an impressive physical display that never wavered through 90-plus minutes and Etxebarria's 17th-minute strike.
"It was a tough week for both the team and our fans. We deserved this win," a breathless Etxebarria said. "We had a good game plan and worked hard in defense. They didn't have many clear scoring chances and we had some more on the break."
It was Betis' second win in 22 games in all competitions against Real since 2001.
Betis climbed to fifth with 22 points, behind Malaga on goal difference after the Costa del Sol side returned to winning ways with a 4-0 rout at home to a desperately poor Valencia.
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