Real Madrid missed an opportunity to increase their lead in La Liga after being stopped in a goalless draw by Villarreal on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side struggled to take down a disciplined Villarreal side at the Santiago Bernabeu in what was the Italian’s 800th match as a manager in the top five European leagues.
Arnaut Danjuma came close for the Yellow Submarine in the first half when Real Madrid failed to register a shot on goal before half-time for the first time in a match under Ancelotti.
The best chance for Real came to Isco in the final, but his header was blocked, leaving Ancelotti’s side three points behind Sevilla, second in the standings, who have one more game.
0 – Real Madrid failed to score a shot on goal in the first half of a La Liga home game for the first time since February 2020 against Celta Vigo and for the first time in a first half at home in the competition with Carlo Ancelotti as a coach. Difficulty. pic.twitter.com/vPdSq4XoCX
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 25, 2021
Villarreal showed initial initiative and went close to 15 minutes with the only shot on goal in the first half.
Danjuma showed great skill as he slipped between two Real Madrid defenders and saw a low shot rejected by the Thibaut Courtois dive.
Shortly thereafter Karim Benzema shot wide wide for Real, while Rodrygo shook the side net with a cross shot.
Real players surrounded the referee as they called for a penalty 10 minutes before half-time when Nacho was tackled by Raul Albiol, but he waved them away.
Shortly after the break, Eder Militao and Benzema headed sideways from good positions for Real Madrid, which increased the pressure.
Ancelotti pitched over Isco and Eden Hazard in an attempt to find a winner, and the former nearly found a winner in the finale with a close range header, but the guests were able to free themselves.