Real hopes in tatters as Valladolid strikes late
Print Edition
REAL Madrid’s Spanish title ambitions are all but over after a late equalizer by relegation-struggler Real Valladolid secured a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
Real lost Cristiano Ronaldo to injury early in the match and failed to create any clear scoring chances after the Portugal forward’s exit. His team now trails city and Champions League final rival Atletico Madrid by four points with two games to play.
Real led through Sergio Ramos’ 35th-minute free kick, but the visitors sat back too deep in the closing stages.
With Ronaldo on the sidelines encouraging his teammates, Real ultimately buckled in the 85th as Humberto Osorio headed home the deserved equalizer — and an important goal in Valladolid’s bid to avoid relegation — from a corner.
“We had the game under control. We didn’t have the mental energy to finish these games,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose team recorded back-to-back league draws after routing Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League final. “It’s going to be very difficult to win the title.”
Midfielder Xabi Alonso was quoted as saying: “It’s practically over for us.”
Atletico leads with 88 points, Barcelona has 85 points and Real is third with 84. Atletico can secure the title on Sunday with a victory against Malaga if Barcelona fails to win at Elche. Barcelona can win its fifth title in six seasons if it wins its last two games, with Atletico visiting on the final match day.
Ronaldo seemed to pull up clutching his right leg following a long run through Valladolid’s half moments before being substituted for Alvaro Morata. The Portugal forward had recently returned from a left leg injury.
As the Copa del Rey champion, Real’s hopes of an elusive treble look to have been dashed. Ancelotti will now have to decide whether to play Ronaldo in the final two games or save the 50-goal marksman for the Champions League final against Atletico on May 24.
Midfielder Angel di Maria and defender Pepe also picked up knocks in the match, which could rule them out of Sunday’s game against Celta Vigo.
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