Real Madrid vs Betis LaLiga Santander: match report, goals, action
Real Valladolid vs Real Madrid live: LaLiga Santander
Real Madrid 0-1 Real Madrid: match report
Real Madrid lost for the first time at home to a team other than Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in LaLiga since 2011 on Wednesday night when Real Betis came to town and beat them 0-1 with a very late Antonio Sanabria header.
Real Betis, under the watch of relatively new coach Quique Setien, with radically new ideas came to the Bernabeu not just to sit back and defend for a draw. They arrived in Madrid to coax Madrid into uncomfortable positions and hit them where it hurts.
And it was working.
But you have to really look dangerous to cause Real Madrid to lose their own attacking propensity. Luka Modric, who was the best player on the park in those opening 45, went closest early when he drove a shot over from inside the box.
Dani Carvajal, who signed a new contract this week, was having a rough start and was starting to force things when he threw the ball across the field only for Fabian to intercept and force a save from Navas that showed of his excellent reflexes.
Isco went close too when Modric put him through only to see his shot save brilliantly by Adan. Little was Isco to know then that Antonio Adan was not in the mood to be beaten
Soon after and with half-time approaching, Victor Camarasa was replaced with an injury by Andre Guardado and Real betis looked like they might lose a little bit going forward as Camarasa had been their stand-out player in that attack.
The second half started and Real Madrid really started to show the intensity that Zidane had asked of them. They were pressing and throwing Real Betis off their stride.
What ensued was one of the best halves of football you'll see in any league across Europe.
Antonio Adan pulled off a string of saves from Mayoral, Bale and the rest as he somehow managed to keep Real Madrid at bay. As time ticked by, Real Madrid pushed further forward and Real Betis started to play their game again.
Marcelo, who had no direct replacement on the bench injured his hamstring and had to be replaced, and Sergio Ramos went full-back for the remainder but it was a slugfest at that stage and the team that kept their composure was going to win.
That team just happened to be the visiting side and as the fourth official raised his board that said we would see a minimum of five added minutes, Antonio Sanabria saw an opportunity. They pushed forward and a lovely ball onto the head of the striker ended up in the back of the net as Real Madrid lost for the first time this season and Real Betis got their first win in eight at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid vs Betis live stream: as it happened
Real Madrid vs Betis live online: preview
With Barcelona showing no let-up in their winning streak with their victory over Eibar last night securing five wins from five for the Catalan side, Real Madrid know that anything less than a win is essential to maintain the pace with Valverde's side after two home draws against Valencia and Levante respictively.
Real Madrid news
Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo will return to action against Real Betis tonight after serving a five-match suspension after the player from Madeira was sent off during the Spanish Super Cup win over Barcelona on Aug. 13 and banned for five matches after pushing the referee, meaning he is yet to feature in the league this season.
The Portuguese hitman struck twice in his only appearance since the incident, a comfortable 3-0 win over Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League last Wednesday.
Youngster Borja Mayoral and Gareth Bale struck for a weakened Madrid on Sunday as they beat Real Sociedad 3-1, but as well as Ronaldo, Marcelo and Toni Kroos are expected to return after suspension and injury respectively.
Despite the impressive display against a previously unbeaten Real Sociedad, Ronaldo's return will be vital for Madrid as they look to take advantage of a soft fixture schedule over the next two months to push rivals Barcelona.
"If we carry on like this we can do a lot of damage," said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane after his side’s win in the Basque Country. "We're back on track but we've got to keep going because there's another game on Wednesday."
The puzzle that is Bale
A lot had been made of Gareth Bale's performances of late and how he fits into the overall picture according to Zidane's vision. His goal against Real Sociedad, which effectively killed off the game, was spectacular, described by many as a "trademark move" from the Welshman. But while there is no doubting the forward's physical prowess and ability to outsprint almost anyone he is faced up against when there is free space to run into, there are still several doubts about his ability to impact a game when the gaps are reduced. Team's know this and many have learned how to frustrate the ex-Tottenham and Southampton player - not to mention the watching crowd - and this has led some commentators to question his value to the slick passing side Zidane has created. That said, if he can continue to pop up with key goals in key moments, why would anyone want to take that away?
Real Betis news
Mid-table Betis have not beaten Madrid in the league at the Bernabeu in 19 years and only five times in 51 attempts.
If they are to defeat them on Wednesday, they will need experienced winger Joaquin, 36, and summer signing Andres Guardado, 30, to continue their excellent form.
"They are like kids in a school yard, they give it back to the guy that gives it back to them," Betis coach Quique Setien said of the midfielders.
"(Guardado) is a footballer I can't describe, extraordinary. He has enormous quality and an enormous work rate. Just like Joaquin, they are reference points for the team."
Real Madrid vs Betis live: online betting
Fancy Real Madrid Dani Carvajal to be the first name on the score-sheet at the Bernabeu tonight? An opening strike from the Spaniard pays out at 41/1.
