La Liga: Real Madrid, Atletico Drop Points To Open Up Title Race
Real Madrid dropped crucial points in their quest to maintain the top spot in La Liga after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Osasuna on Saturday, a match that saw star midfielder Jude Bellingham sent off just before halftime. Despite the setback, Madrid remains at the summit of the league thanks to Atletico Madrid’s inability to capitalize on their own draw against Celta Vigo.
The match began promisingly for Madrid, with Kylian Mbappé opening the scoring early on, capitalizing on a cross from Fede Valverde. This marked Mbappé’s seventh goal in his last five league matches. However, the tide turned when Bellingham, frustrated after a heated exchange with referee José Munuera Montero, received a red card for dissent in the 39th minute.
Osasuna equalized in the 58th minute when Ante Budimir converted a penalty after Eduardo Camavinga was penalized for a late challenge. The draw marked Madrid’s third consecutive league match without a victory, raising concerns for manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Following the match, Bellingham defended his actions, asserting that he had not intended to insult the referee. “I think you can see clearly in the video; it was an expression to myself,” he explained. “There was no intent to insult. I was not directing any comments towards him.”
Ancelotti echoed his player’s sentiments, suggesting that the red card was unwarranted. “I think the referee was nervous,” he remarked. “Bellingham did nothing today to deserve being sent off.”
With Atletico Madrid also dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Celta, they remain one point behind Real Madrid. Atletico’s Pablo Barrios was sent off early in the match, leaving his side to battle with ten men. Iago Aspas scored from the penalty spot to give Celta the lead, but Alexander Sorloth equalized for Atletico, showcasing their resilience despite a numerical disadvantage.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised his team’s fight, stating, “The team had gladiators again. Playing 90 minutes with one fewer player is very tough.” Midfielder Koke added, “We defended well, we suffered when we had to. We’re still in the fight for the title.”
Barcelona has the chance to level with Madrid if they secure a victory against Rayo Vallecano on Monday, adding further pressure in the title race as the season progresses.
