It ended in a stalemate at the Nuevo Mirandilla as both Real Madrid and Cadiz remained unseparated in a passionate 1-1 draw. Relegation contenders Cadiz needed three points from this match to maintain their fate in their own hands on the final matchday but failed to do so. Ancelotti is rotating and preparing his men well for the upcoming Champions League final against Liverpool. No doubt, he is approaching the rest of the games in the league just as he would set up a training match. Straying away from his rigidity, Ancelotti started Andriy Lunin in goal with Vallejo and Nacho in defense. Eden Hazard returned to the pitch after half-time while three Castilla players made the bench.
Striker Mariano Diaz opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 5th minute fending off the early pressure from the Andalusians. Rodrygo did the most part for the goal as he rampaged on through the Cadiz defense, twisting and turning, setting up a tap-in for Real’s second choice striker Mariano Diaz who made no mistake from close range.
Even though the early chances came in Cadiz’s favor but Real Madrid managed to cope with them with Lunin making a crucial save in the early moments.
With relegation approaching, Cadiz pumped up their game and they started looking dangerous in their attacks. In the 35th minute, Cadiz scored the equalizer from a Castilla graduate, Ruben Sobrino whose ranged effort got deflected off the crossbar and went in goal.
Cadiz got a host of chances to seal the game in their favor, but Real’s defense somehow managed to preserve the draw. Cadiz’s striker Alvaro Negredo won a penalty in the second half after contact from Lunin but the Ukrainian saved his penalty.
The best chance of the second half for Real Madrid came in Asensio’s favor but his low-driven shot found the hands of Ledesma who had no problem saving it.
There was a little bit of a drama at the end as Mateu Lahoz whistled for Full Time during an ongoing VAR check for a possible penalty for Cadiz. But VAR officials judged it as Carvajal winning the ball first in the box and the game ended 1-1.
Real Madrid next face Real Betis on 20th May, Friday at 3:00 PM EST / 9:00 PM CET
