Real Madrid's last game before the Champions League final against Liverpool ended in a goalless draw against Real Betis on Friday. Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong side for Madrid's last La Liga game of the season but with the title long since sealed and the final in Paris just around the corner, neither team were keen to overexert. Veteran left-back Marcelo played what may have been his final match for Madrid, although Ancelotti insisted that no decision on the player’s future had been made yet. “He will still be one of our captains in Paris,” the Italian manager said. “If in the end he leaves, he will leave as one of the best full-backs in the world.” Marcelo came on in the second half to a standing ovation and was given the captain's armband by Karim Benzema, who played the whole 90 minutes. There was no such ovation for Gareth Bale who was again absent from the squad. The Welsh attacker has been struggling with a back problem in recent weeks, the lack of any goodbye just the latest anti-climax at the end of his Madrid career. The 32-year-old has played just seven club games in 2021-22 totalling 290 minutes and scored one goal. “He couldn't be on the bench,” said Ancelotti. “He wanted to say goodbye to the fans but he has one last chance, because I think Bale will be fine for the final.” As well the warmth shown for Marcelo, there was applause as well for Isco, who is also out of contract at the end of June, and even for Real Betis' Joaquin, the 40-year-old coming on for his 600th La Liga match in the second period. Ancelotti picked a strong team that could be the line-up that starts against Liverpool, although David Alaba remains out injured meaning he will be playing his first game in just over a month next weekend if the Austrian is thrown straight back in. Both teams coasted through the first half, with neither side playing with enough intensity to force mistakes or precision to create clear chances. Toni Kroos and Casemiro both whistled long shots past the posts while Betis arguably had the best opportunity, a quick counter-attack leaving them three against two on the break. But Sergio Canales picked the wrong pass when Nabil Fekir was free and Real Madrid escaped unscathed. There were periods when Madrid's lethargy slipped into sloppiness, with Casemiro drawing the disapproval from fans and teammates alike when he rushed a clearance and then skewed a wild shot from close to the halfway line. Benzema had his first real opening early in the second half and connected well with Dani Carvajal's cross but the shot was straight at Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva. The Frenchman almost won it with seven minutes left, but fired over after chesting down Rodrygo's ball in. Marcelo, Isco and Joaquin all came on and Joaquin should have scored in the 86th minute. Cristiano Tello's cross to the back post was set back nicely to the striker but, from eight yards, he missed the target. Real Madrid, who finish the league season on 86 points from 38 games, now have a full week to prepare for the Champions League final. Real Betis are fifth in the table on 65 points although Real Sociedad can draw level on points if they defeat Atletico Madrid at home on Sunday.
