Spanish press slam Real Madrid after they lose ground in title race following Real Betis defeat

Real Madrid have been told that their performance against Real Betis is the type of display that will cost them the title following their 2-1 defeat at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Goals from centre-back Sidnei and former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello either side of a Karim Benzema penalty consigned Madrid to their third La Liga defeat of the season.

The visitors also conceded the advantage in the title race back to the Catalan giants after their 1-0 victory against Real Sociedad on Saturday, which came courtesy of a Lionel Messi penalty.

And now following Madrid’s latest setback, the Spanish media have given their hard-hitting reaction to Sunday evening’s events.

Marca’s headline said: ‘That’s how you lose leagues’, adding that an ‘unrecognisable’ Madrid gave a ‘pessimistic performance’ against a lively Betis side that had star Nabil Fekir to thank for making the Madrid defence ‘go crazy’. 

While they add that Madrid have lost their advantageous position, which are supplemented by quotes from Zinedine Zidane taking responsibility for their ‘worst game of the season’, they also include Sergio Ramos’ warning that there are still many games to go.

Furthermore, Spanish paper AS led with: ‘Madrid lose their heads’ against a ‘superior’ Betis, with Ramos believing his side must be self-critical as they did nothing well while Zidane maintaining that they lacked everything from energy to aggressiveness.  

Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo ran with the headline: ‘Great Tello’ after the former Barcelona player’s winner in Seville.

They also claimed that Madrid were ‘fragile’ and made a lot of mistakes against a Betis side who had more chances to score.

Just like Marca, they include a quote from Ramos who said: ‘We’ve slipped behind and the result is fair’.

And finally, Barcelona-affiliated outlet Sport ran with: ‘Thank you Betis, thank you Madrid’, revelling in the fact that Madrid had already conceded their lead at the top of the table to the Catalan side just a week after the Clasico.

The newspaper appeared eager to rub salt into the wound by highlighting Madrid’s recent torrid run of four defeats and a draw in their last seven games.

Speculation had already been growing before the game about Zidane’s future at Madrid after he remained coy on reports linking him with Juventus in his pre-match press conference. 

And the pressure on the French boss certainly increased after Sunday night’s performance, after which he admitted: ‘It was our worst game of the season. We lacked everything; energy, play, possession, intensity. 

‘It’s a bad day and it can happen. I’m the one responsible.’