Real Madrid

Real Madrid was held to a 0-0 draw at Real Betis. Mancini's long-range strike in the 53rd minute secured a hard-fought win for Roma.

The nine-time French champions broke Rennes’ solid defense in the 57th minute from a free kick quickly played by Valentin Rongier. Leader PSG beat Nantes 4-2 on Saturday and has an eight-point lead over Marseille. Madrid was without midfielder Luka Modric because of a yellow-card suspension.

Vinicius Junior was embroiled in a spat with Real Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and was frustrated during the goalless draw (Photo: Fermin Rodriguez/Quality ...

Ancelotti pointed out the need for new signings during that transfer window after Real won La Liga and the [Champions League](https://theathletic.com/football/champions-league/), but the board disagreed. That was a header from [youth player Alvaro Rodriguez,](https://theathletic.com/4233284/2023/02/21/real-madrid-alvaro-rodriguez/) which rescued a [1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.](https://theathletic.com/4252472/2023/02/26/real-madrid-atletico-de-madrid-la-liga/) They were then defeated [ 1-0 at home to Barca](https://theathletic.com/4271231/2023/03/03/real-madrid-barcelona-clasico-ugly/) in the [Copa del Rey](https://theathletic.com/copa-del-rey/) semi-final first leg. The Brazil winger was furious with the officials and had to be pulled away by [Dani Ceballos](https://theathletic.com/football/player/dani-ceballos-GD8WHXteo7Ll3u2q/) despite the threat of a red card. When Rodriguez was finally sent on, Madrid did not take advantage of his height and stopped crossing into the box. Ancelotti did bring on Rodriguez — but only with three minutes left of normal time when the Uruguayan striker had been warming up since the 66th minute. “There is a long way to go and a lot of things are going to happen,” one voice high up in the Madrid dressing room said. That figure has dropped to 22 at the same stage of this campaign. [behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga](https://theathletic.com/4278328/2023/03/06/barcelona-xavi-emulates-pep-guardiola-but-his-side-have-a-long-way-to-go/). They have managed five wins since the tournament, with three draws and two defeats. “In a game like this, we must score a goal.” Ceballos urged his team-mate to calm down, but he was embroiled in an argument with Betis goalkeeper “This upsets (us) a lot.”

Real Madrid were crowned champions on 7 March 1971 after beating Picadero (73-76) in the last round of matches.

It was Real Madrid's fourth consecutive league title. The team needed to wait until the last match to clinch the championship after beating Picadero (73-76). Real Madrid won the thirteenth basketball league title in the club's history on 7 March 1971.

Since thrashing Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League 16 tie, Real has scored only once in their following three matches in all ...

Asked if Real is out of the title race, Ancelotti said: “No, no. We need to be more clinical and deliver more.” “The players are also disappointed because we’ve got the quality to score and we’ve always done it.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tipped an early shot from Real Betis forward Ayoze Perez over the bar before striker Karim Benzema had a goal for Real Madrid ...

Then, Real Madrid host Liverpool in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, March 15. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti on the performance: "It was a difficult game, above all because we could have been more efficient in attack, we had chances, we could have done better with them. Sometimes we didn't choose the best solution, [Eder] Militao played a fantastic game in defence with Rudiger, but we lacked that, choosing the best solution, dribbling when you shouldn't, trying a one-two, passing instead of shooting. That's the reality, in these games we've only scored from a set piece, it's obvious what's lacking, we have to be more effective. The best of Madrid's attack was Rodrygo, enjoying the rare opportunity to play in his favoured role -- inside, behind a centre-forward, with freedom to roam, and with Valverde covering the right side. We have the quality, we have to do better, more efficient, more clinical. It's a role that gets the best out of his intelligent movement, close control and ability to take players on. Vinicius Junior looked dangerous at times, but distracted at others, getting caught up in disputes with Betis players and the referee, while late substitute Alvaro barely had any time to make an impact. As Madrid chased a winner, however, the limitations of their squad were on display. Yes, he was a little unlucky that his free kick brushed Rudiger's arm on its way into the net, but otherwise, this was a disappointingly quiet night for the 35-year-old. They were frustrated by some poor finishing, and a solid display by veteran Claudio Bravo in the Betis goal. Real Betis are a good team and the Estadio Benito Villamarin is an intimidating arena, but Madrid were the better side, dominating possession, creating more chances and ending the game with an expected goals of 1.21 to Betis' 0.41.