Javier Baraja and Stefan Mitrovic both pick up timewasting bookings as they look to run down the clock! The latter challenge in particular, is a nasty forearm to the face of Marcelo!
90' +1
Javier Baraja gets yellow.
90'
PEPE!! HOW HAS HE MISSED THAT!! Modric pops up at the back post and heads back into the danger area for his team-mate, who scrambles a shot wide of the post! He should have scored!
89'
S. Mitrović gets yellow.
88'
A great wasted here as Valladolid counterattack! Bergdich drives forward through the middle and has two options in a three versus one attack, but ends up playing a tame pass to the left which is intercepted by Pepe!
86'
It was the substitute, Osorio! a fantastic header into the corner!
85'
H. Osorio has scored a goal for Real Valladolid! Assist by Javier Baraja.
GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! GOOOOAAALLLL!!! GOOOOAAALLL!! VALLADOLID EQUALISE!! The corner kick comes in from the right-hand side and a it looks like either Javi Guerra or Osorio who directed a header into the corner! It may have been a combination of the two! Incredible scenes!
83'
Valladolid make another change as Victor Perez is replaced in the middle of the park by Javier Baraja.
82'
Javier Baraja enters the game and replaces Víctor Pérez.
Madrid get a precious free kick down the right flank. Di Maria takes and whips a cross into the danger area just in front of Jaime, but the Valladolid defence manage to clear behind for a corner kick. This will suit Los Blancos just fine.
Minute
Description
80'
Pepe gets yellow.
Perhaps a sign of Madrid's ambitions at the moment as Modric takes the ball down with an assured touch inside the centre circle, but adopts to retain possession and play back to the full back rather than initiating a counterattack. Probably a sensible thing to do at this point!
78'
The scoreline just is not comfortable at all for any team here. Madrid are going to have to keep switched on, as they are playing a team fighting for their lives after all. You get the feeling the Valladolid may get a least one more goalscoring chance before the end, but will they be able to take it?
77'
Marcelo enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
76'
Illarramendi gets yellow.
Ancelotti delves in his bench again and this time introduces Marcelo for Benzema, who's had an off night to say the least. A defender on for a forward then; are Madrid looking to settle for the 1-0 win?
74'
In the last 15 minutes or so it's quite likely that Valladolid are going to push high up the park in an attempt to find an equaliser, but this is only going to create more space for the pacey Madrid frontline.
73'
H. Osorio enters the game and replaces J. Suárez.
Illarramendi enters the game and replaces Isco.
72'
Both sides opt to make a change for the last 20 minutes as Jeffren is replaced by Humberto Osorio for Valladolid and Isco comes off for Illarramendi for Real Madrid. Ancelotti clearly looking to just plug some holes in the middle of the park for the remainder of the match.
70'
Valladolid had a decent few minutes there and had Madrid pegged back into their own box, but they failed to take advantage and now Los Blancos are looking more comfortable. The game is still on a knife edge, though!
68'
Isco gets beyond the Valladolid midfield once again and turns to face goal before driving forward. He releases Morata down the inside left channel in the penalty area and the 20-year-old goes for goal with a tame left-footed shot, which is easily collected by Jaime.
67'
JAVI GUERRA!!! SO UNLUCKY!! Jeffren takes on Coentrao at left back and clips a lovely cross into the box for his team-mate, who goes for the bottom corner with a terrific overhead kick, but his attempt scuffs the edge of the sidenetting! Madrid's hearts would have been in their mouths there!
65'
The hosts make their first change of the match as the ineffective Oscar departs, with Daniel Larsson coming on. This could signify a more central position for Jeffren, but we shall see what the coach has in mind soon enough.
64'
D. Larsson enters the game and replaces Óscar.
63'
That's absolutely atrocious from Pena. The Valladolid left-back initially gets into a fantastic position in behind Nacho and has all the time in the world to pick out a pass inside the box, but ends up smashing a cross-come-shot-come clearance high into the opposite stand. Awful.
61'
Álvaro Morata gets yellow.
Rubio sprays the ball out to the right wing for Rukavina, who drills a cross in for Jeffren. The former Barcelona winger turns sharply and looks to get a shot away but Coentrao comes in at the last minute to volley the behind for a corner kick.
59'
Bergdich shows his electric pace on the flank once again and fizzes a cross into the path of Javi Guerra, but the centre forward's touch is extremely poor and he allows the ball to run out for a goal kick. That's been a big problem for the hosts so far; they just can't get possession to stick in the final third.
57'
Isco does brilliantly to skip past the challenge of Rukavina on the touchline before gliding into the final third. He picks up Benzema with a precision pass inside but the Frenchman's return ball is desperately lazy and Valladolid manage to clear! The former Lyon man hasn't looked himself tonight!
55'
BENZEMA! HE REALLY SHOULD BE SCORING! Nacho gets forward again and curled a superb cross to the back post for the Frenchman, who screws a shot wide whilst under pressure from the defender! Valiente did well, but it was definitely a good opportunity!
53'
Isco receives the ball to feet on the edge of the area and typically spins with speed before shifting on to his left foot and lashing a strike at goal, but his attempt goes straight down the throat of Jaime, who gets down to make the comfortable save.
51'
Nacho gets into an advanced position on the right flank but a combination of Pena and Bergdich eventually manage to steal possession from the defender. Good tracking back by the Moroccan international.
49'
Victor Perez gets away with one as he takes a poor touch just outside his own box and is dispossessed by Morata, but is awarded the free kick after the referee penalises the Madrid attackers. Valladolid take the short free kick and look to move up the park.
47'
Morata pops up on the left wing and takes a stride past Rukavina before whipping in a cross that has the potential to just dip under the bar, but Jaime manages to get back and claw the ball out of the air. The way the Valladolid goalkeeper handled the opening goal, you get the feeling Ancelotti would have told his players at the break to get some shots away and test him.
46'
We are back under way in Jose Zorrilla!
45'
Di Mariaaaaaaaaaa! What a goal that would have been! The Argentine latches on to a knockdown from Morata and sends a drilled volley towards the top bag, but the attempt just strays away at the last minute! Unlucky!
43'
SERGIO RAMOS!! HE NEARLY SCORES AGAIN! The World Cup winner gets on the end of a corner kick and bullets a header towards goal that just goes a yard wide! He is one a one-man mission to claim all three points for Real Madrid this evening!
41'
Sergio Ramos perhaps a little too excited after scoring his goal however as he completely takes out Bergdich in the middle of the park in a proactive attempt to steal the ball. He escapes a booking, but the hosts get the free kick a few yards into the Madrid half.
39'
Ancelotti's men definitely have an air of confidence about them now after going a goal up. Xabi Alonso and Modric have just started to strut around in the middle of the park and assert their dominance, leaving Valladolid to chase shadows. The home side need to pick themselves up quickly.
37'
Isco collects the ball in his favourite position just in front of the Valladolid defence and skips past a couple of challenges before threading a pass through to Benzema, who just takes a second too long on the ball, which allows Valiente to come in and make the clearance into the stand.
36'
Fair play to the Madrid vice-captain, he has stepped up and taken massive pressure off his team-mates in Madrid's time of need. They've got a foundation to build from now as they go in search of further goals.
35'
Sergio Ramos has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID!! LOS BLANCOS BREAK THE DEADLOCK!! Sergio Ramos steps up and whips the free kick up and over the wall into the top corner! Questions will be asked of Valladolid keeper, Jaime, but Madrid wont mind! One-nil!
34'
Madrid have had a number of set piece opportunities so far but none really have posed a threat to Jaime on the Valladolid goal. Their latest comes in the form of a 25-yard free kick, so let's see what they can make of it.
32'
Madrid have just stepped it up a gear or two in the last few minutes as they look to find this opening goal. It was a bright start for Valladolid, and they remain to be solid, but their attacking threat has just started to decline. They've still got the players to harm Los Blancos though.
30'
The Jose Zorrilla crowd take a breath as Di Maria steps up to take a set-piece from 25 yards out, but they can relax as the Argentine's free kick goes harmlessly over the bar by a few yards.
28'
Morata does brilliantly to shake off the attentions of Rukavina and hit the byline using his pace and strength. He fires a fantastic, teasing cross to the far post but their are no takers for Madrid! That was begging to be smashed in!
27'
Isco gets yellow.
26'
Z. Bergdich gets yellow.
The first booking of the match goes to Isco as the former Malaga man goes in extremely late on Bergdich. The Spaniard isn't exactly known for his tough tackling exploits in midfield, but that was a bad one, and he goes into the book.
24'
Di Maria takes yet another Madrid set piece and this time finds Morata at the back post, who heads back into the danger area. Sergio Ramos challenges Jaime in the air, but the Valladolid keeper commandingly punches clear.
22'
Di Maria swings in a corner kick from the left hand side and Valladolid manage to clear to the edge of the box. Xabi Alonso cleans up and sprays a pass back out to the Argentine, but the eventual cross into the box is easily claimed by Jaime.
20'
Rukavina takes a poor touch in a dangerous area which allows Morata to steal possession in the final third. The Madrid youngster powers forward and looks to release Benzema, but Valiente was positioned well to intercept the pass.
18'
Oscaaaaarrrr! That was a chance! Rukavina exchanges a lovely one-two with a team-mate down the right wing before driving forward and reversing a pass back inside to the Valladolid No.10, but his technique is off and he ends up ballooning a strike over the bar!
16'
Madrid are the walking wounded at the moment as Nacho is now down on the ground after picking up a knock. Ancelotti will be grateful though that on this occasion the injury looks superficial, and the right back should be able to continue unscathed.
14'
Just to go back to the Ronaldo withdrawal, it looks like the Portuguese attacker picked up a hamstring injury, which depending on the severity, could be at least two or three weeks out. Having said that, he may have been withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
13'
Coentrao opens up his stride down the left wing and has two options; Morata and Benzema. He opts for the latter and sends the substitute down the touchline, but his cross into the box is eventually scrambled clear by Valladolid.
11'
Sergio Ramos!!! That was ambitious! The Madrid centre back looks to keep his rich goalscoring form up as he goes for a spectacular overhead kick on the edge of the box, but his attempt goes high and wide over the bar!
9'
Álvaro Morata enters the game and replaces Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now we have a real story here. Cristiano Ronaldo looks to have picked up an injury and wont be able to continue, and will be replaced by Alvaro Morata. Will he be available for the league run in and indeed the Champions League final?
7'
Valladolid are getting a lot of joy down the left hand side in the opening stages as Bergdich and Pena look like a nifty combo going forward. The duo have hit the byline a few times and have got some decent crosses into the danger area.
5'
VALLADOLID MISS A MASSIVE CHANCE!! Bergdich gets to the byline and whips a cross into the centre for Javi Guerra, who looks poised to bullet a header home but instead glances his attempt wide! That looked an easy opportunity, but Madrid survive!
3'
Some lovely work in the middle of the park from Oscar as he cleverly dinks the ball over the oncoming Isco before taking an assured touch down and continuing the move. Madrid will need to keep an eye on him.
2'
Almost a horror moment in the early stages for Valiente as the Valladolid defender loops a misjudged header towards his own goal, but Jaime keeps on his toes to retreat and tip the ball over the bar!
1'
We are under way in the Jose Zorrilla!
Good evening folks! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Spanish Primera Division clash between Real Valladolid and Real Madrid from Estadio Jose Zorrilla!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and it's my pleasure to take you through the action!
The enthralling La Liga title story of this season continues tonight as Los Blancos aim to utilise their game in hand to go a point beyond Barcelona and two points behind Atletico Madrid in the table.
However, Juan Ignacio Martinez's outfit are absolutely desperate for points as they battle to avoid the drop. A promising run of 11 unbeaten home games will certainly give the home side a sense of hope tonight.
At the weekend we had an array of twists and turns that shifted the title race in favour of the three teams at the top. Barcelona were the first to slip up as they drew 2-2 at home with Getafe, but then Atletico Madrid blew their chance to increase their lead at the top of the table as they suffered a potentially damaging defeat away to Levante. However, perhaps the biggest surprise came on Sunday evening when Madrid, who are usually ruthless at home, had to come back from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Valencia. It seems that nobody wants to take the initiative at the moment!
Conversely, Valladolid will be buoyed by their 1-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend, and now find themselves one point from safety. So much on the line tonight as these two sides clash!
TEAM NEWS...
A couple of very interesting selections it seems from Ancelotti. The Real Madrid cup goalkeeper of the season and club captain, Iker Casillas, comes in to make a rare La Liga start in between the sticks. The Italian boss did mention this week that the World Cup winner would be awarded some playing time domestically before the Champions League final at the end of the month. Luka Modric will be welcomed back into midfield, with Asier Illarramendi sacrificed. Nacho Rodriguez comes at right back.
Valladolid will be looking to 13-goal striker Javi Guerra for inspiration tonight as they look to claim some vital points against the capital club.
Valladolid (4-2-3-1): Jaime; Rukavina, Valiente, Mitrovic, Pena; Victor Perez, Rubio; Jeffren, Oscar, Bergdich; Javi Guerra
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casillas; Nacho, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Modric, Isco; Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo,
Carlo Ancelotti publicly thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for his contribution in salvaging the draw against Valencia as the Ballon d'Or winner netted his 50th goal of the season with a terrific backheel. The Portuguese has now notched up 50-plus goals in four consecutive seasons; absolutely sensational!
The players have taken to the field now and we are almost ready for kick off!
Half time in Jose Zorrilla. Real Madrid are on course to move just two points behind league leaders, Atletico Madrid, as they currently lead Valladolid 1-0. The hosts made a decent start and arguably should have scored through chances for Oscar and Javi Guerra, but Madrid survived and went on to take the lead through a Sergio Ramos free kick. The biggest incident of the first half comes from an injury to Cristiano Ronaldo however, as the Portuguese left the field with what looks like a hamstring injury. A very interesting second period in store!
Full time in the Jose Zorrilla! Real Madrid's title bid looks to be in tatters now as they can only manage a point in a 1-1 draw away to Valladolid. Los Blancos took the lead through a Sergio Ramos free kick in the first half, but failed to capitalise further on their dominance and allowed the hosts back into the match. The equaliser came in the dying minutes when substitute, Humberto Osorio, headed past Iker Casillas. Carlo Ancelotti's men are now four points behind Atletico Madrid with two games remaining, so the title is mathematically possible, but they are relying heavily on other results. Injuries to Ronaldo and Di Maria hardly help matters, but you feel attentions will turn to La Decima. I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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