Real Madrid faced Villarreal in the last match of the season hoping for a false step of Atletico Madrid to win La Liga in extremis. It was very difficult but not impossible as Valladolid had a chance to escape the relegation zone if they beat Atletico and that meant the El Fenomeno’s team would try their best. But on the other hand Villarreal was fighting to enter the Europa League qualificaion spot and for that they needed to beat Real Madrid! The last matchday of the season was surely thrilling.
Real Madrid fought to the final moment for the LaLiga title and did all they could, beating Villarreal at home, but it wasn't enough to lift the trophy after Atlético took all three points in Valladolid. They had to come back from a goal behind after Yeremy Pino struck in the first half and it was an incredible finale thanks to goals for Benzema on 87’ and Modrić in added time. Zidane's men see out the season with a win, completing an 18-match unbeaten run in the league (13 wins).
With 20 minutes gone, things took a turn for the worse when Yeremy Pino put Villarreal ahead. Real Madrid was somehow not entering the game as they should and suffered the determination of the yellow shirts. From the moment the ball hit the back of the net, the game was all Real Madrid, who could have had a penalty five minutes later when Parejo handled in the area. The hosts continued to press forward and had the chance to go level on 34’ when Modrić beat two men, but his shot from inside the box just missed the target. Before the break, the Croatian ace swung in a corner but the ball ended up in Rulli's gloves from Casemiro header.
The second half began with Real Madrid camped in the Villarreal half, as the hosts began to carve out opportunities. On 52’, Odriozola crossed for Militão, but the centre-back headed over. Three minutes later, Benzema headed in Casemiro’s pin-point cross and everyone thought that would be the moments everything would turn on the other side but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. Real Madrid had to fight more and also bear with the added pressure that was increasing more and more as the minutes passed. Zidane brought on Isco and Rodrygo and the Brazilian was soon causing problems for the Villarreal defence. The forward closed down Rulli and forced him into making a weak clearance and the ball dropped to Benzema, but the Frenchman fired the ball into the side-netting.
Zidane made a triple substitution on 68’, sending on Mariano, Marcelo and Nacho. Three minutes later, Benzema went close again, when the striker’s left-footed shot flew over the bar. On the other match in Valladolid Atletico had just scored the 2nd goal and was getting eve closer to the title. That would affect especially the fans who lost the hope completely and thought that Real Madrid would stop fighting because now not even the victory could make Zidane’s team reach the top spot. But Real did not give up.
On 83’, Modrić tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his fierce drive missed the target. Five minutes later, Benzema drew Madrid level. The Frenchman received the ball just inside the box from Rodrygo and curled the ball beautifully into the top corner. The pressure on the opponent got even more intensified and it really felt like the 2nd goal was a certain thing! Then, in stoppage time, Modrić scored the winner for the hosts when he chested down a cross from Benzema and fired the ball into the roof of the net on the half-volley. Unfortunately, the match was closed with Real Madrid in the 2nd place and with Simeone’s team as champions.
It may have felt like a sad day for many fans, but there is no reason to blame the team or the staff. Real Madrid made an unbelievable season when everyone was expecting the opposite, because the team had several problems since the start of the year. But Real Madrid is Real Madrid and never gives up without fighting until the end. Real Madrid terminates this season with the head up and with massive respect for the opponents. Altogether they gave the fans what they deserve: a season full of emotions and beautiful moments. Congratulations to a historical rival like Atletico on winning this edition of La Liga. They surely had a great season!
UNBEATEN IN 18 CONSECUTIVE LALIGA GAMES: The win over Villarreal at the Di Stéfano sees Real Madrid finish their LaLiga campaign with an 18-match unbeaten run (13 wins). The run began back on the 6th of February in Huesca meaning the Whites haven't lost in the championship for almost four months.
BENZEMA CLOSES OUT THE SEASON WITH 30 GOALS: Benzema's strike against Villarreal sees him close out the season with 30 goals. He's scored 23 of them in LaLiga.
Casemiro’s words after the game: "We had to win and then see what happened with Atletico in Valladolid. They won and did what they had to do, we have to congratulate them. You're aware of what is happening but the most important thing is to focus on yourself. We were losing, we fought, we worked, we gave everything, as this crest demands. We did what we had to do, win the game. Congratulations to Atletico Madrid. It is complicated, after more than 60 injuries, COVID-19, there are no excuses but it is a bit of everything. We were one game from winning La Liga. We are all proud, it was a difficult year for us with so many injuries. A lot of fighting, a lot of work, a really difficult year for us".
The boss’ speech in his post-match press conference: "We have to congratulate Atletico, who deserve [to be champions], because whoever is at the top deserves it. But the most important thing is what the players have done. With time and with calmness, I will talk to the club later. I have to thank our fans because they have always supported the team from the outside. I think everyone can be proud of the players, because they have given everything. It wasn't easy but in the end we won [against Villarreal].
He continued: “My assessment is that we gave it all we had on the pitch. We haven't won anything and the players want to win. I'm responsible for all that. There are things that are up to me and we're going to assess all of that. That's why I want to congratulate the players but what they really want is to win things. You know what kind of year we’ve had. You’ve been saying it all year. In the end, we didn’t win and that’s the way it is. At Real Madrid we know where we are and what we have to achieve, but you have to be calm and patient. This is what I tell my players and also the fans, because the fans and the players are the most important thing. They have to be proud of what they have done. We’ve had a lot of difficulties this year, but we’ve given it everything on the pitch and that’s the most important thing”.
The future: “It's a day to congratulate the whole squad. And that's it. Now we have to be calm and in the next few days we'll talk about it [his future]. In a little while we'll see what's going to happen. Not only with me, but with everything the club is going to do for next season".
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