Humberto Osorio’s header cancelled out Sergio Ramos’ earlier free kick, as Real Valladolid drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at Jose Zorrilla.
Iker Casillas started his first Liga game of the season, with Carlo Ancelotti hoping to give the goalkeeper some more game time ahead of the Champions League final. Nacho Fernandez was another newcomer in the XI at right-back, whilst Angel Di Maria moved into the attack following Gareth Bale’s absence.
Los Blancos were looking for the three points that could take them to within two points of leaders Atletico Madrid, whilst the Pucela were desperate for a win that would take them out of the relegation places and up to 15th.
The League table doesn’t lie, and it was the side chasing the championship that got off to the brighter start, and almost took the lead within two minutes. A cross from Di Maria on the right found the head of Marc Valiente, and the defender’s header looped up towards his own goal. Goalkeeper Jaime though, was equal to it, and acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.
The home team however, had a capacity crowd behind them, and soon upped their game alomost getting the first goal themselves. A cross on the left from Jeffren found Javi Guerra inside the area, but the striker’s header flashed just wide of the post.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit were struggling to impose themselves on the game, but their biggest worry after only nine minutes was the injury suffered to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Ballon d’Or winner was forced off in obvious pain – with Alvaro Morata coming on.
The pitch at Jose Zorrilla was not helping either team, with the grass cutting up and the ball not running smoothly. As such, possession was at a premium, with the game turning into a midfield battle.
Bookings came and went for both outfits, but chances on goal were a lot rarer. Di Maria had a long-range effort trickle wide, whilst Luke Modric blasted one over. And it took a set piece to finally break the deadlock on 35 minutes. Xabi Alonso was fouled on the edge of the area, and up stepped Sergio Ramos to blast one into the top left-hand corner.
After the break, with Juan Ignacio Martinez’s men now looking for an equaliser, there were inevitably more gaps opening up in their midfield and defence. As such, the Merengues started to have more clear-cut chances. Between the posts however, Jaime was equal to everything.
The renewed attacking vigour from the home team though, was causing Madrid some problems, as Oscar and Jeffren looked to run directly at their backline and try to carve out an opening. Pepe, Ramos, Nacho and Coentrao however, were looking comfortable, clearing everything that came their way.
When they didn’t though, it was the poor finishing of the hosts that came to their rescue. A cross from the right-hand side from Jeffren found Javi Guerra, but the Cardiff-bound forward’s overhead kick went wide of the far post, with Casillas seemingly beaten.
That pressure eventually told as with just five minutes remaining the home team got their equaliser. A corner from Daniel Larsson was headed in by Humberto Osorio, with Casillas unable to claw the ball out.
The visitors were unable, despite their best efforts, to get the winner, as Valladolid left the relegation zone, and Madrid stayed in third, four points behind Atleti.
Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Madrid
Scorers: Osorio 84 (RV); Sergio Ramos 35 (RM)
Real Valladolid: Jaime, Rukavina, Valiente, Mitrovic, Peña, Álvaro Rubio, VPérez (Baraja 82), Jeffen (Osorio 74), Óscar (Larsson 64), Bergdich, Guerra
Real Madrid: Casillas, Nacho, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrão, Xabi Alonso, Modric, Isco (Illarra 73), Di María, Benzema (Marcelo 77), Ronaldo (Morata 9)
