MADRID – Real Madrid missed the chance to go five points clear at the top of La Liga as they were held 0-0 by Villarreal at the Bernabeu.
The result means Carlo Ancelotti’s side move onto 17 points, three above city rivals Atletico Madrid, who lost 1-0 away to Alaves.
Villarreal, meanwhile, remain unbeaten but have won just one of their six matches this term – four of which they have drawn 0-0.
“It’s a bittersweet point because it’s at home against a direct rival and you want to take the three points in these games; just one isn’t what we wanted,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said according to Reuters.
“Keeping a clean sheet is good given we’ve conceded in our last few games, though.
“We wanted to press them high but they dealt with us well in the first-half and it was tough to get the ball off them. We misplaced too many passes when we had it, but these things happen.”
It was a frustrating affair for the hosts where clear cut chances were few and far between, with the final ball too often lacking.
They wanted a penalty in the first half when defender Nacho collided with Raul Albiol in the box, however referee Jesus Gil Manzano waved away the protests.
Arnaut Danjuma looked most likely to score for the visitors, forcing Courtois into a couple of smart stops in each half.
Real defender Eder Militao sent a header wide after the break from a Marco Asensio freekick as Madrid struggled to make a breakthrough.
A combination of Isco and Vinicius Junior were denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli as Unai Emery’s side held on to secure a point.
Atletico Madrid’s Spanish title defence was dealt a blow as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at lowly Alaves in La Liga.
Centre back Victor Laguardia’s fourth-minute header from a Ruben Duarte corner was enough for the hosts to secure their first win of the season as they moved off the foot of the table.
“We need to improve and ensure that our games are more consistent, because right now they really aren’t,” Simeone said.
“It’s always tough when the opposition closes up shop. We didn’t have the kind of speed or skill needed to undo them.
“The most important thing for us is to improve and grow and I’m confident we’re heading in the right direction with the work we’re doing.”
Atleti huffed and puffed as they attempted to find a way back into the match after such an early blow, but were kept out by admirable defending from the hosts.
Marcos Llorente, Luis Suarez and substitute Angel Correa all went close for the visitors and Laguardia headed Kieran Tripper’s shot off the line.
Tomas Pina missed a glorious chance to double Alaves’s lead nine minutes from time, but fired over when unmarked on the penalty spot – but his side hung on to claim a first victory over Atleti since 2003.
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