Non-aggression pact before Paris
Real Madrid draws with Betis in a league closure full of tributes
MADRID, 20 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid put the finishing touch to the league season with a goalless draw against Betis (0-0) that served as a prelude to the final in Paris and as a ‘warm-up’ for a team that played at half throttle and preferred not to risk thinking at Liverpool.
The night was festive at the Santiago Bernabéu with two teams that already had their homework done. The two national champions, recognized each other with a double corridor, signed peace in a non-aggression pact that ended with more applause in the center of the field. A warm farewell before traveling to France.
Marcelo was hugged by his teammates as they did with Isco, who also had a few minutes in the second half in what was a goodbye without confirmation, and Ancelotti also jumped onto the field at the end of the match to thank the “commitment” of the stands . The message was clear, now all the energies are destined for the ‘reds’.
And that the final chapter of this League could have provided a different score if Benzema does not fail what is not usual. The French striker had up to four chances to beat Rui Silva but he did not succeed, as did Casemiro who also tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box. On the Andalusian side, Juanmi and Willian José sent two warnings to Courtois.
In any case, the chances fell with a dropper and it was seen that many white footballers did not want to ‘put their foot in’ in view of the fact that the final arrives in just seven days. The best thing for Madrid was precisely that, that they came out without injuries and with the push of their fans despite the scoreless score against a good Betis.
In the second half it was Benzema who was closest to the goal with two shots in the small area but there was no way, not even in the counterattacks could the Verdiblanco team score. Manuel Pellegrini’s men had the clearest chance of the match in Joaquín Sánchez’s boots -who played the 600th match in the League- with a volley that he threw out of it.
That was the last replica of a Betis that was liked at the Bernabéu, where it has already accumulated five visits without losing, a record within the reach of very few, against a Real Madrid that did not stop trying to go to Paris with a better taste of mouth, especially Benzema, who was also close in extra time.
It didn’t matter because all the cards are laid for the match of matches. It will be next Saturday in Paris, with the Saint-Denis stadium as the stage, and against Liverpool who still have to play their League match this Sunday: Nothing more and nothing less than with the championship at stake. The Champions League final has already started.
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Mendy (Marcelo, min.70); Casemiro (Camavinga, min.46), Modric (Ceballos, min.70), Kroos (Valverde, min.46); Vinicius, Rodrygo (Isco, min.70) and Benzema.
REAL BETIS: Rui Silva; Sabaly, Pezzela, Bartra, Alex Moreno; Guido Rodríguez, Guardado (Carvalho, min. 63), Canales (Tello, min. 86); Fekir (Joaquín, min.74), Juanmi (Iglesias, min.63) and Willian José (Rodri, min.63).
–REFEREE: Jaime Latre (C.Aragonese). No warnings.
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. 52,232 spectators.
–OBSERVATIONS: The singer Alejandro Sanz, a member of Real Madrid, performed the honorary kick-off. In addition, both teams made the corridor before the start of the game in recognition of Real Madrid’s league title and the Betis Cup.
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