The happiest teams about the 1-1 draw between Real Valladolid and Real Madrid were sitting at home, as the title dream slipped further away from Los Blancos, holding on to a lead from a Sergio Ramos free kick until the final minutes of the match when Humberto Osorio scored off of a corner kick.
Valladolid had their own goals and aims in this match: They’re fighting for survival in the La Liga, so this wasn’t just about Real Madrid trying to walk all over a team that has nothing to play for. Cristiano Ronaldo leaving after only nine minutes with an injury was a bad omen for those who believe in such, as Alvaro Morata came on, but the visitors from the capital were the dominant team even without their big star and savior, finally rewarded for their ability with a free kick goal from Sergio Ramos that Jaime couldn’t parry in the right direction.
But the second half was a bad one from Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti seemed happy with the 1-0 lead, or wasn’t willing to do more to try and risk it, as he took off Isco for Asier Illarramendi and later on Marcelo came on for Karim Benzema. Everything Real Madrid did was signalling to Valladolid to come attack them.
There’s not too much talent on the home side’s team, but Real Madrid have had problems with set pieces all through this season, at least in the league. The Colombian striker who came on in the 74th minute connected first with a corner from Javier Baraja, scoring with his head, ruining Iker Casillas’ return to between the goalposts.
So what now? Real Madrid are third, one point behind Barcelona and four behind Atletico Madrid. With two matches left to play, they need Atletico to miss out on a win in both their remaining matches. They also need Barcelona to drop at least three points, so the ideal for Real Madrid would be a draw in the match between Barcelona and Atletico, after both teams mess up in the previous match.