Real Madrid News
Real Betis defender fires brutal post-match verdict after Real Madrid draw: ‘The keeper saved them’
Real Madrid’s title hopes suffered another major setback after a dramatic late equaliser from Hector Bellerin denied them victory against Real Betis.
The result could prove decisive in the La Liga race, with Barcelona now in a commanding position at the top.
Madrid are currently eight points behind, and that gap could stretch even further depending on Barcelona’s upcoming fixture against Getafe.
While the numbers paint a bleak picture for Madrid, Bellerin’s post-match comments made the performance gap even clearer.
Bellerin takes the stage
Speaking after the final whistle, the Betis full-back insisted his side were the better team on the night and deserved more than just a point.
Bellerin highlighted how Betis controlled large phases of the game, creating consistent pressure and forcing Madrid onto the back foot.
He noted that despite facing one of the strongest squads in Spain, Betis dictated the tempo and generated the clearer chances.
“They are a brilliant team, but we had plenty of shots on goal. The keeper saved them all. We’re satisfied because it’s a good result,” the defender began.
He also explained the thinking behind his decisive late goal, a moment that was extremely controversial from Real Madrid’s point of view.
“In these situations, there’s little time to think: I’m not one to strike the ball hard, I aim for the posts and, amidst all the legs, it went in.”
In general, that goal exposed Real Madrid’s vulnerability in the closing stages, an issue that has surfaced repeatedly this season.
Even their goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, could not prevent the inevitable despite producing a series of crucial saves earlier in the match.
In fact, it was Lunin’s performance that kept Madrid in the game longer than they perhaps deserved.
Betis created enough chances to settle the contest much earlier, only to be denied time and again.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
