For Real Madrid it set the second setback within a few days. After the out in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea on Wednesday, the “royal” didn’t get past a 2-2 win in the Spanish league hit against Sevilla FC on Sunday evening. Instead of reaching the top of the table, coach Zinedine Zidane’s squad only managed to advance to second place ahead of FC Barcelona with the same number of points three laps to go.
Two points are missing at Atletico Madrid after the leader had already drawn a goalless draw from Barca on Saturday at the Estadio Camp Nou. In the event of a tie, the better direct comparison would speak for Real – both in terms of the duel with Atletico and that with Barcelona. Seville seems to be finally out of the title race, FC are six points short of the top of the table after a crazy game.
In real terms, the out in the “premier class” seemed to be able to cope well, but top striker Karim Benzema’s opening goal did not count due to an offside position by Alvaro Ordiozola (12th). So the first hit fell on the other side. Fernando let out Casemiro with a hook from eight meters and shot after a header from Ivan Rakitic (22nd). After changing sides, the home side were first rewarded for their period of urgency, Marco Asensio stood out as a “joker” immediately after being substituted on (67th).
Curious final phase
In the 74th minute it got really strange. Benzema was fouled in the penalty area by goalie Yassine Bounou, but the penalty was awarded after studying video on the Sevilla side. The TV pictures had revealed a handball by Eder Militao before the Real counterattack. Rakitic didn’t miss the chance from the point (78th). But it wasn’t enough for the away win, as a shot by Toni Kroos was deflected into the Sevilla goal (94th). Casemiro almost scored the winning goal (96th). Real have only won one of the last five competitive games.
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