Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 5y

Modric and Benzema 6/10 in Real Madrid defeat as Bale left out completely

Real Madrid's awful 2018-19 season came to a close in a fitting way with a limp 2-0 defeat at home to Real Betis.

Neither team played well in the first half, but the visitors upped their intensity after the break, with runners repeatedly carving open a static Madrid defence, leading to deserved goals from Loren Moron and ex-Blancos starlet Jese Rodriguez.

Positives

The only positive for Zinedine Zidane and his side is that they can put the last 12 months behind them completely now, and never speak of 2018-19 again.

Negatives

All the problems which plagued Madrid's season were here again: lethargic performances from big stars, defensive mishaps, chances being missed. They could now end the season 21 points behind champions Barcelona, with 68 being their lowest total since 2001-02. A complete rebuild is required this summer.

Manager rating out of 10

5 -- Zidane spent most of the game pacing the sidelines looking at the floor as his team kept mis-hitting simple passes. The aimless way Madrid have finished the season has taken away a lot of the optimism generated by the Frenchman's return in late March. His 11 games in charge have brought five wins (all at Bernabeu), two defeats and four losses -- a worse record than Julen Lopetegui or Santi Solari managed earlier in the season.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Keylor Navas, 8 -- Greeted warmly by the Bernabeu before probably his last game for Madrid, he had welcome chances to earn applause with excellent saves from Marc Bartra and Giovani Lo Celso (twice). His slow walk from pitch on final whistle, saluting all four corners of ground, looked like a goodbye.

DF Dani Carvajal, 5 -- One of the few Madrid players to reach top intensity, but not in the right way. Could have been booked for hack at Junior Firpo in first half, then should have been red carded for rugby tackle on the Betis left-back after the break.

DF Raphael Varane, 6 -- Was generally well on top of Loren using his pace across the ground, although not immune to the general slackness in team.

DF Nacho, 6 -- Had more trouble with floating playmaker Lo Celso, who was the most influential player on show. Another whose future is now very much up in the air.

DF Marcelo , 6 -- Captain again with Sergio Ramos still absent, the Brazilian had a couple of shots wide early on to try and rouse the team. But yet another defensive lapse played Andres Guardado onside as Betis opened the scoring.

MF Luka Modric, 6 -- Maybe the Madrid player most in need of a summer's rest, which is saying something. He had a negligible impact on the game, although kept moving to support his teammates throughout, often covering others making less of an effort.

MF Marcos Llorente, 5 - His last game for Madrid did not go as planned as his touch regularly let him down, and he was unable to get the game moving from a deep midfield position.

MF Fede Valverde, 6 -- His level has slipped amid general malaise over recent weeks, one burst forward and an excellent cross should really have been converted by Karim Benzema.

FW Brahim Diaz, 6 -- The big winner of the season's finale kept trying things but was quieter than recent weeks, before leaving early due to a muscle injury.

FW Karim Benzema, 6 -- Should really have scored at least once -- he hit post from 15 yards and then took too long when set up by Valverde.

FW Vinicius Junior, 7 -- In his first start since Zidane returned as coach, he was the sharpest player on show from either side in the first half. He deserved a goal, which almost came after he dribbled way into box, but was denied by Betis keeper Pau Lopez from tight angle.

Substitutes

FW Marco Asensio, 6 -- Another player who has gone backwards this season, he did little to change the direction of game when replacing Brahim early in second half.

MF Isco, 6 -- His biggest intervention was a yellow card for a wild kick at William Carvalho, as the big man continued to dance around supposedly more nimble players in Madrid's midfield.

FW Lucas Vazquez, 6 -- The entrance of Madrid's third sub was notable for the fact it meant Gareth Bale was again left without any playing time as Zidane made clear he wants the Welshman gone.

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