(Football news) Real Madrid concluded their title winning La Liga season with a 0-0 draw against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu. Before the match started, both teams gave each other a guard of honour because Betis won the Copa del Rey while Real Madrid won the La Liga. The result of the match meant that Los Blancos had failed to score against Real Betis at home for the 5th consecutive season. It was also the 3rd consecutive goalless draw in the fixture between the two clubs.

As expected, Carlo Ancelotti lined up with his first choice XI that he has used against the likes of Manchester City, PSG and Chelsea except that Fede Valverde was on the bench and Rodrygo started on the right wing. Manuel Pellegrini on the other hand benched Borja Iglesias and William Carvalho. The match looked like a preseason friendly and understandably so. The possession was almost equal but Madrid had 3 shots on target compared to Betis' 2. Real Betis had kept the hosts quiet and at the same time they were constantly testing their back line.

Toni Kroos and Casemiro were taken off at halftime for Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde which is likely to have been Ancelotti's plan from the beginning. The home side stepped up the tempo after the restart. Los Blancos' best chance came when Dani Carvajal passed the ball to Karim Benzema whose powerful shot was straight at Rui Silva while Rodrygo was unable to hit the target off the rebound. Substitute Joaquin had the best chance of the game when he got to the end of Iglesias' pass straight in front of goal but couldn't hit the target.

Marcelo and Isco, who are both out of contract, were subbed on. Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Isco's departure after the game but he was unclear about Marcelo. Gareth Bale, who is also leaving the club after his contract runs out at the end of the season wasn't on the bench through injury but Ancelotti said that he will be back for the UCL final. Marcelo received a great ovation from the crowd and almost got an assist in the last minute as his cross was met by Benzema who couldn't find the target. 

Real Madrid will have 8 days to prepare for the UCL final against Liverpool. Carlo Ancelotti could be a little disappointed with the performance as it lacked quality at times. A good win would've been confidence but at the same time could have also tired the players a little more. Los Blancos will finish the 2021/22 La Liga with their 35th trophy and will also finish at least 10 points ahead of 2nd placed FC Barcelona.

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