Real Madrid enters winter break 2 points behind leader Barca

Real Madrid finished 2019 with growing concerns over its attack and trailing Barcelona by two points as Spanish league starts its winter break. Zinedine Zidane will face questions about Madrid's scoring slump after it was held 0-0 at home by a tame Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. slip at Santiago Bernabeu came after drawing 1-1 at Valencia and 0-0 at Barcelona over past week. One goal in three matches is a paltry return for one of richest clubs in world.

"Having had so many chances, we are a bit angry at ourselves, but this is football," Zidane said.

"In last three games we have had many scoring chances but few goals. I don't think it is bad luck or a lack of killer instinct. important thing is that we are creating chances. We will keep that up and goals will come."

league resumes in first week of January.

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Missed opportunities 

Madrid dominated possession but goalkeeping of Unai Simn, woodwork, and lack of a scoring touch saved Bilbao. Toni Kroos, Nacho Fernndez, and Luka Jovic all sent shots off goal-frame for hosts. Simn stopped Vinicius Junior in front of his goal after young Brazilian had cut back around final defender in game's first scoring opportunity in 12th minute. Vinicius squandered two more opportunities, t cleanly connecting with Luka Modric's cross before he failed to control a loose ball in goalmouth.

Simn deflected Kroos' point-blank effort in 19th onto crossbar after Bilbao's passive back line had let him advance through box. Simn also saved shots on goal from Karim Benzema. Bilbao's attack consisted in rare long ball won by Iaki Williams or a quick counterattack. Williams had Bilbao's only threat saved by Thibaut Courtois in 20th. Fernndez smashed a header off crossbar in 59th shortly after replacing Eder Militao, who injured his right eye. Late substitute Jovic headed off base of post with four minutes remaining.

"It was a hard-earned point," Simn said.  "We were helped by woodwork, but we did a good job and I think we did eugh to deserve draw."

Bilbao is in seventh place, immediately above Valencia.

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Correa's spark

Angela Correa again proved to be Atltico Madrid's ideal substitute when he went on in second half to score one goal and set up ar in a 2-1 win at Real Betis. Atltico's first victory in six league games on road left it in fourth place and seven points behind Barcelona. Sevilla is third. Correa's first touch of ball intercepted a pass from lex More and left him alone to round Betis goalkeeper Joel Robles and net 58th-minute opener.

Argentina forward n passed for lvaro Morata who used inside of his right boot to redirect Correa's low cross past Robles with six minutes to play. Marc Bartra scored for Betis in injury time. Atltico coach Diego Simeone praised Correa for his ability to come off bench and revitalize team.

"I don't like word 'supersub,' since he is an important player for us and has started matches, but when he comes off bench he kws what to do. He has something special," Simeone said.

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Staying close

Real Sociedad withstood an attempted comeback by 10-man Osasuna to earn a 4-3 away victory that kept it one point behind Atltico in fifth place. Sociedad led by three goals after Mikel Oyarzabal, Cristian Portu Portugus, and Martin Odegaard all scored in opening half-hour. But Osasuna rallied to 3-2 before defender Facundo Roncaglia was sent off with a direct red card for elbowing an opponent in face with 20 minutes left. Substitute Alexander Isak made it 4-2. Chimy vila scored his second goal for Osasuna with an excellent solo effort, lifting ball over a defender and heading it into corner of net in 84th.

At bottom

Celta Vigo stayed in relegation zone after Levante got two goals from Roger Mart to erase Iago Aspas' opener and rally for a 3-1 win at home. Espanyol lost 2-0 at Legans in a clash between bottom two teams in league. Last-place Espanyol is three points behind Legans and five points from safety. 

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