Ancelotti gives his stars a rest as Madrid turn eyes on Liverpool final
MADRID: Newly crowned Spanish champions Real Madrid were held to a draw away to relegation-threatened Cadiz on the penultimate matchday of the LaLiga campaign.
Mariano put the 35-time Spanish champions ahead after five minutes following an excellent run by Rodrygo.
Ruben Sobrino struck a deserved equaliser for Cadiz before half-time.
Alvaro Negredo saw his second-half penalty saved by Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to leave Cadiz outside the relegation places on goal difference heading into the their final fixture.
With one eye on their Champions League final meeting with Liverpool in Paris on May 18 Real manager Carlo Ancelotti made six changes and rested key players including Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.
The pressure may be off domestically for Real, having clinched the title at the end of April with four games to spare, however that did not stop them thrashing Levante 6-0 in midweek.
They faced a much sterner test on Sunday, however, as a determined Cadiz side fought for their La Liga status.
Ukraine international Lunin, replacing Thibaut Courtois for the visitors, made six saves as the hosts registered 21 attempts at goal.
But Cadiz were unable to add to Sobrino’s finish, as Negredo spurned the chance to put his side back in front after being brought down by Lunin – the Real goalkeeper diving to his left to keep out the Spaniard’s spot-kick.
Mallorca’s 92nd-minute winner against Rayo Vallecano moved them level on 36 points with Cadiz, who know they must equal Mallorca’s result next Sunday given their 12-goal superior goal difference.
Real remain 12 points clear at the top after Barcelona were held to a goalless draw at Getafe.
Barcelona secured second place in La Liga despite being held to a goalless draw at Getafe, who guaranteed their top-flight survival.
In a game of few chances, Barcelona had one shot on target through former Manchester City winger Ferran Torres.
All of Getafe’s on-target efforts came in the first half, as both sides settled for the point they needed for their respective aims.
Barcelona will now play Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup next season.
The draw also extended Barcelona’s run of away games without defeat to 15 (won nine, drawn six) – the longest current streak in the division.
** Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has announced that he will not extend his contract at the season’s end.
