A Real Week To Forget

The Real Madrid fans were on top of the world barely a fortnight ago. After taking Munich by storm, their team was fully expected to narrow the gap at the top of the 'La Liga' table and close in on a historic treble. The league, though, has proven a much tougher nut to crack than anticipated.

On 4th May, Real prepared to entertain Valencia on the back of slip-ups by Atlético (a 2-0 loss away at Levante) and Barça (a 2-2 draw at home to Getafe). This was a golden opportunity to bolster their title charge against an opponent that was still reeling from a painful Europa League defeat at the hands of Sevilla. However, 'Los Blancos' were held to a stalemate and could be grateful for even that. After twice trailing, Cristiano's stunning back-heeled finish salvaged a point that seemingly kept the dream alive.

We say "seemingly" because everyone was banking on Real beating Valladolid in their game in hand, a match that had been postponed because of the Spanish Cup final. Again, though, Carlo Ancelotti's men could only muster a point and virtually waved goodbye to their title chances.

The final nail in the coffin came yesterday in Balaídos. The injury-hit 'Merengues' - several key players are carrying knocks and are being wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Champions League final - went down 2-0 as mistakes from Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso let in Charles for a brace. To add extra fuel to the "what ifs?" at the Bernabéu, Atleti and Barça both stumbled again.