There's A Hint Of Panic At Real Madrid

Real Madrid saw their La Liga lead cut to six points on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw with Villarreal, while Jose Mourinho, Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil were all sent off as the panics seems to be beginning.

There were some stunnings late on in Wednesday’s game, as Mourinho was sent to the stands, enraged at the decision to award Villarreal an 83rd-minute free-kick which Marcus Senna converted. Mourinho joined coach Rui Faria who had earlier fumed at the officials and been sent off.

Then moments after the equaliser both Sergio Ramos and Ozil received their marching orders. There was no calmness about it all.

When you consider, four days ago, Real Madrid enjoyed a 10-point buffer on second-placed Barcelona and they suddenly have seen that whittled away to six points, then you can begin to understand the tension.

And with another El Clasico to go, Barcelona are now looming, with Real looking over their shoulders with more than a bit of unease.

Real clearly lost their discipline at Villarreal. Seeing boss Mourinho so angry, initiated the panic. Then again referee Jose Paradas Romero, who had a questionable game including appearing to give Cani two yellow cards, didn’t help ease their fury.

After the game, Mourinho refused to speak to the press, while Portuguese defender Pepe said “What a robbery, you son of a b**ch!” to the referee, which is sure to land him in trouble.

Beyond all the panic, young Brazilian full-back Marcelo finally showed some restraint when he later told ‘La Sexta’: “I think any team would like to have a six-point lead. We must be calm. Tonight was a tough match but we’re fine. We did not get the victory but the team spirit is good.”

He added: “We are getting on with our work but sometimes referees go against us. We will have to keep on working. We have to improve in a lot of things. Tonight we conceded another goal from a set-piece but we’re still in front and we’ll keep working.”

And the reality is, as Real Madrid director and former player Emilio Butragueno said to ‘Canal Plus’ earlier this week: “It is true we have a big lead, but there is still competition. Ten points seemed a distinct advantage, and eight is still a significant one. It is the same as it was before though. The league is not finished.”