Kroos says goodbye and the Bernabéu calls for the ‘Fifteenth’
Real Madrid drew goalless against Betis in a final league matchday with the German and Wembley as the protagonists
MADRID, 25 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid drew goalless this Saturday against Real Betis on the last day of LaLiga EA Sports, farewell to Toni Kroos from the Santiago Bernabéu in an unforced rehearsal match ahead of the Champions League final in a week.
Kroos and the Champions League were the focus of the league outcome of a long-time champion Madrid, which included the gala eleven that will seek the ‘Fifteenth’ against Borussia Dortmund in seven days. The German said goodbye to what has been his home for ten years, substituted in the 87th minute, with the emotional hug with his children.
The Bernabéu dedicated the vast majority of chants and cheers to ‘8’, although it was a general day of celebration for the white fans. ‘Go for the Fifteenth’ was the final message, the banner that came out from the Madrid cheering stands thinking about Wembley. Everyone’s heads were there, because against Betis they did not force and Pellegrini’s men competed to be, along with Rayo Vallecano and Atlético, the only ones who have not lost against Madrid this season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s minute distribution ended this Saturday with a very recognizable eleven that, however, did not want any scares. The start was a nice back-and-forth and the first clear chances were for the locals, with Vinícius taking advantage of his spaces. Betis, with a dozen important casualties, played with a team of youth players who, from less to more, stood up to the League champion.
Vieites, between the sticks, made the Brazilian bitter, although in one of the ones he took out, Mendy was close to making it 1-0. The Andalusian team worked hard behind and, coming to half-time, had their chances. Bellerín finished a cross from Sabaly unmarked and Johnny even made it 0-1, in a bad clearance by Courtois, but the VAR ended up showing the referee an offside by Marc Roca.
Betis continued to grow against a Madrid in training mode and Ayoze ran into the Belgian goalkeeper, a Courtois who is confident of being the goalkeeper in the ‘Champions’ final. On the other side, Vieites frustrated Vinícius again, but it was Pellegrini’s team who came closest to scoring. The time for changes arrived, and another goal disallowed against Betis due to a clearer offside.
The Bernabéu was focused on Kroos more than on the game and, after sharing a few more minutes with Luka Modric, the German gave way to Ceballos already in the 87th minute. His teammates and the entire stadium dedicated an emotional farewell, which brought tears to the eyes with the hug of his children next to the bench.
Betis left happy for performing at the Bernabéu in a campaign that ended in seventh place, the Conference League and Europe for the fourth year in a row, and the Madrid players kept Kroos in a tight spot with their eyes on London. On June 1, at Wembley, the white team closes the season, where there may be tears of joy again if the ‘Fifteenth’ European Cup falls.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: REAL MADRID, 0 – REAL BETIS, 0.
–ALIGNMENTS:
REAL MADRID: Courtois (Kepa, min.63); Carvajal (Lucas, min.74), Rüdiger, Nacho (Militao, min.64). Mendy Camavinga (Modric, min.74), Valverde, Kroos (Ceballos, min.87), Bellingham; Vinicius and Rodrygo.
REAL BETIS: Friday; Sabaly, Sokratis, Visus, Miranda; Johnny, Marc Roca, Bellerín, Rodri (Altimira, min.72), Ayoze and Willian José (Abde, min.81).
–REFEREE: Díaz de Mera Escuderos (C. Castellano-La Mancha). He cautioned Nacho (min.5) and Carvajal (min.72) for Real Madrid. And Sokratis (min.84) at Betis.
–Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
2024-05-25 21:17:05
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