VILA-REAL, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Real Madrid endured a frustrating start to the new year as they drew 2-2 at struggling Villarreal on Thursday (Jan 3) and were left seven points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Midfielder Santi Cazorla gave the home side the lead in the fourth minute of the game, which was rescheduled due to Real's participation in last month's Club World Cup, by bending a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.
But the European champions struck back three minutes later with a headed goal from Karim Benzema after a sweeping attacking move.
Raphael Varane gave the visitors the lead in the 20th with a header from a free kick but it was former Arsenal midfielder Cazorla, who has overcome a terrible run of injuries to resurrect his career in Spain, who had the final say.
The diminutive 34-year-old Spaniard ghosted into the box undetected to nod home at the back post in the 82nd minute and give his side a deserved point in new coach Luis Garcia Plaza's first home game in charge.
Real have not won their opening away game of a new year since 2014, and Cazorla's late strike prevented them from going level on points with Sevilla and kept them in fourth place, seven behind leaders Barcelona after 17 games.
Apart from conceding the early goal, Real produced an impressive display in the first half but lost their grip on the game after Gareth Bale was substituted soon after the interval with a knock.
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, who helped set up the equaliser, followed Bale off the pitch midway through the second half and Villarreal, spurred on by their supporters, showed more intensity and wrestled back control of the play.
Cazorla's leveller followed a spell of pressure from the home side but Real could still have snatched a winner when substitute Isco burst into the area but was denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.
"It could be said the result was fair, we chased the victory and had it in our hands, we wanted to kill the game off and they put us under a lot of pressure as they were at home and they badly needed the points," Real coach Santiago Solari said.
"When Gareth came off we lost a bit of sharpness in attack, we still had the chance to score a couple but we needed to attack with more clarity." Villarreal, who have reached the last 32 of the Europa League despite a dire domestic season, clawed their way out of the relegation zone to 17th in the standings, level on points with 18th-placed Athletic Bilbao.
"This result will give us strength," said Villarreal coach Garcia, who has taken two points from two games since succeeding the sacked Javi Calleja.
"I imagine that every game from now on will be a battle, a war to survive but hopefully we'll come through it, and this point gives us a big emotional boost."
I do agree and have said so in many posts, the lack of control over the games is a major cause of our defensive problems. But even after that, individually the back line is not good enough. 1 vs 1, playing from the back, tracking runners, tackling the ball off the opp or generally dealing with technical players…etc All are glaring problems.
Starship Gunner - A free Action Game - Games at Miniclip.com
Football: West Ham's Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs suffers first loss at new stadium Related Story Football: Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth
Tottenham suffer first loss at new stadium as Michail Antonio
fifa-livescores.com/news/107756/ALL/Tottenham-suffer-first-loss-at-new-stadium-as-Michail-Antonio-hits-winner-for-West-Ham
Tottenham suffer first loss at new stadium as Michail Antonio hits winner for West Ham, West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham's new stadium after a Michail Antonio goal gave them a 1-0 victory. , West Ham became the first opposition team to win at Tottenham's new stadium after a Michail Antonio goal gave them a 1-0 victory.
Tottenham 0-1 West Ham: Spurs lose for first time in their
Billing, 22, received online racial abuse late on Tuesday from someone claiming to be one of the Yorkshire club's fans. "We're aware of the racist message sent to Philip Billing over social media
Huddersfield condemn racist abuse of Billing - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/13/huddersfield-condemn-racist-abuse-of-billing/
"We're aware of the racist message sent to Philip Billing over social media on Tuesday evening and have subsequently referred the case to West Yorkshire Police," said a Huddersfield statement issued Wednesday. "Huddersfield Town does not tolerate abuse of any kind and has a zero-tolerance stance towards any form of discrimination.
Huddersfield ace Philip Billing exposes sick racist abuse
Luis Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay due to ankle sprain Luis Suarez, 32, is expected to miss between 10 and 15 days after limping off late in Sunday's 4-1 win at Real Betis in La Liga.
Injured Luis Suarez Ruled Out of China Cup - News18
Liverpool powered back to the top of the Premier League as Xherdan Shaqiri inspired a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United, while Arsenal's 22-match unbeaten run was shattered by a shock
Liverpool back on top as Shaqiri sinks United, Arsenal's
Football 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup — Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty as they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian
'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian Cup
The Europa League's top scorer Olivier Giroud took his tally to 10 with his strike against Slavia Prague. Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half of matches are becoming a "big problem", after they were forced to withstand a Slavia Prague fightback before reaching the Europa League semi-finals.
Football: Chelsea survive Slavia scare to reach Europa League
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino remained defiant despite his side losing 1-0 to Bournemouth and having two men sent off. Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues
Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues | Free
Eleven Sports hit by poor take-up rate in UK LONDON • Eleven Sports, the self-styled "Netflix of Sports" controlled by Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, could be facing closure in the UK & Ireland after failing to attract enough subscribers.
Eleven Sports may be facing closure in UK after only four
Liverpool's record with Champions League final referee will have Reds fans worried. Damir Skomina will take charge of Liverpool vs Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid
UEFA Champions League Prize Money 2019 (Confirmed)
Football: Newcastle get extra-time win over Blackburn, Stoke fall to Shrewsbury in FA Cup 3rd-round replays
Newcastle United get extra-time win, Stoke City fall to
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen