Real, VAR and failed attempt to move into the top spot

The best La Liga title race in the last 20 years! Three rounds before the end, four teams are within points of each other and it seems that none of them want’s to be champion. They all had the opportunity to go to the top at one point, but all of them somehow managed to miss that chance, and Real Madrid is one of them, as they failed to go first with a dramatic draw at home to Seville.

When Atletico Madrid had a chance to secure the title race, they lost to Bilbao. When Real and Barcelona had a chance to get closer to Atletico, they lost points against Hetafe and Granada. Then Barcelona had a chance to go on top of the league, but couldn’t win against Atletico on Saturday. And tonight Real Madrid had a second chance to overtake Atletico but failed.

Zinedine Zidane’s men very obviously tired both physically and mentally from the Champions League semi-final defeat and they were second best team during the game. Seville were more aggressive, always looking to attack and get the ball in their possession as soon as possible. They lost their title chances when they were defeated by Bilbao last week, but tonight again showed that they are a great team. Real was lucky to draw in this match, as they didn’t play well at all.

Seville started the game better and scored from their first shot on target in the 22nd minute, when Fernando had a nice, calm finish for the lead.

Real took it seriously after a goal, and Seville’s keeper Bono made three saves in the next seven minutes, with Benzema’s powerful shot being the most serious one. The French striker scored a wonderful header in the 12th minute, but it was ruled by VAR, after it was shown that Odriozola, who provided the assist was offside.

Real started the second half in a much more offensive way and Modrić nearly scored in the 52nd minute, but it was Bono again, with a fingertip save. Casemiro had a number of shots, but usually from distance. Real missed a fantastic opportunity in the 65th minute when Modric and Kroos created a chance for Vinicius, who failed to score. But when Kroos made an assist to Asensio, the Spaniard made no mistake: 1-1.

And then a surreal situation. A quick counter attack by Real and Benzema was brought down by Bono – a clear penalty for Los Galacticos. But then VAR intervened and disallowed the penalty, because Militao handballed in it’s own penalty area prior to Real’s counter attack. So, the referee pointed at the white spot, but it was Seville with the penalty and Rakitić for the second lead of the game.

But again, Real avoided the defeat in the last minutes of the match when Kroos took a shot and ball deflected off Hazard for the final score and hope for Zidane’s men: 2-2.

Until the end of the season, Real must defeat Granada, Athletic Club and Villarreal and hope that Atletico will have at least one draw. What a season!

LA LIGA - ROUND 35

Friday

Real Sociedad - Elche 2-0 (0-0)

/Elustondo 72, Oyarzabal 90/

Saturday

Alaves - Levante 2-2 (1-2)

/Pons 30, Joselu 87 - Morales 36, 42/

Barcelona - Atletico Madrid 0-0

Cadiz CF - Huesca 2-1 (2-1)

Athletic Bilbao - Osasuna 2-2(1-1)

Getafe - Eibar 0-1 (0-0)

/Recio 89/

Valencia - Valladolid 3-0 (1-0)

/Gomez 5, 48, Correia 89/

Villarreal - Celta Vigo 2-4 (1-3)

/Gomez 25, Moreno 87 (p) - Mina 19, 34(p), Mandez 45+3, Solari 57/

Real Madrid - Sevilla 2-2 (0-1)

/Asensio 67, Hazard 90+4 - Fernando 22, Rakitic 78 (p)/

Monday

22.00: Betis - Granada