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It's strange how one team can change in just seven days. One week ago, this club thrashed Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Was it because the first two goals were scored off set pieces? Now, after drawing against Valencia at home and Valladolid away, this team has 17 days to prepare the UEFA Champions League Final. A match that will determine how good the season has been. Win it and you'll raise the longed décima. Lose it, and this season will be a complete failure.
The performance against Valladolid was simply unacceptable, and someone should take the blame for it. Yes, Cristiano and Bale couldn't play and Morata is certainly not a player good enough for this club, but they're not to blame. This is why Ancelotti has only won 3 league titles over the last 15 years. This is the ultimate proof. Real Madrid should have won this title, and win or lose the Champions League, Ancelotti will need to change something in order to compete better in the Liga BBVA next season.
Real Madrid didn't even try to test Jaime. Only Sergio Ramos scored with a brilliantly taken free-kick. Other than that, Jaime had a very pleasant night, just like Casillas. Unluckily enough for Real Madrid, Ancelotti decided to park the bus instead of getting the ball away from Valladolid. Isco left the game for Asier Illarramendi and the Basque midfielder showed a bit of silver linings behind those dark clouds that were surrounding his future in the club. He got booked the first time he touched the ball, but after that he certainly improved and helped his team. And then, Ancelotti took Benzema off and replaced him with Marcelo. Yes, Marcelo. Having Casemiro on the bench. It's as hard to swallow as it sounds.
First, Morata had to come in for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the game on the 7th minute. A Real Madrid source confirmed to this site that the Portuguese player is fine and decided not to risk a serious injury when he felt some muscular problems on his recently-recovered hamstring. And Morata is not enough. This topic has been discussed all season long, with some fans wanting proof. Those who still believe in the player and the great U21 Eurocup he played will still disagree. Those who actually watch him play will realize the evidence. Morata is not good enough to be Real's second striker and Jesé's injury has been devastating for this roster.
Valladolid ended up scoring the crucial equalizer off a corner-kick on the 85th minute. They didn't need anything else to get a draw against a Champions League contender. That's just what it took. While Diego Alves had to put on a show for Valencia to get that 2-2 draw, Jaime did not have to work. A terrible offensive performance by Real Madrid, from Karim Benzema to everyone else involved.
Furthermore, Pepe ended the game with evident problems, and so did Ángel Di María. It appears that these small injuries will not keep them out for long, but there goes another reason to finally throw this Liga BBVA away and focus on the Champions League Final even more. It might as well be time to start the kids and nurse those injuries, Carlo Ancelotti. Your final exam will be played on May 24th. Then, everyone will decide whether the season was good enough or not.