Real dropped four points in the last two games   Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Villarreal last night, the second time in the space of four days they have allowed a late goal to concede ground in the Spanish title race. Madrid’s lead at the summit of La Liga is now just six points, which has made Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola’s claims over the weekend that it is “impossible” for the championship to return to the Nou Camp seem unduly pessimistic – not least as the pair still have to meet on Barcelona’s own turf.
Madrid hardly have any grounds for complaint. After sparring for an hour, Cristiano Ronaldo gave Madrid the lead in the 63rd minute, combining brilliantly with Mesut Ozil, before rounding the Diego Lopez and slotting into an empty net.
But, as on Sunday against Malaga, they failed to kill off their opponents and, 7 minutes from time, veteran Marcos Senna levelled for the hosts. He curled a delightful free-kic over the wall and past the desperate glove of Iker Casillas.
It got worse for Real as they completely lost their heads in the final moments. Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil both saw red off, while coach Jose Mourinho and his assistant Rui Faria were also dismissed from the dug out following their reaction to the equaliser.
Mourinho\'s team have still amassed 72 points from 28 games, and have only been beaten twice all campaign – once, of course, by Barca at the Bernabeu. But this is no time to be losing form, not with Lionel Messi in such imperious form.