Carlo Ancelotti fielded a quality team for Real Madrid's final LaLiga match of the season, but neither team wanted to push themselves too hard.
Marcelo says his goodbyes to Santiago Bernabeu in Real Madrid's 2-2 draw with Betis.
Marcelo is set to leave Real Madrid at the conclusion of the season when his contract expires.
Real Madrid's final game before facing Liverpool in the Champions League final concluded in a goalless draw against Real Betis on Friday, as Marcelo waved farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti selected a strong lineup for Real Madrid's final La Liga game of the season, but neither team wanted to over-exert themselves with the title already secured and the final in Paris just around the corner.
Instead, the competition was noted for Marcelo's homage and the absence of one for Gareth Bale.
Both players are likely to leave when their contracts expire this summer, but only Marcelo was in the squad this time, with Bale missing out yet again.
Marcelo was introduced to a standing ovation in the second half and given the captain's armband by Karim Benzema, who had played the entire 90 minutes. After the final whistle, Marcelo took praise from his teammates and walked away, waving to the crowd.
"One of the greats of world football, and one of the best full-backs in the world, is saying his goodbyes," Ancelotti remarked.
Bale, meanwhile, has been dealing with a back injury in recent weeks, and the lack of a farewell is simply the latest anticlimax in a Madrid career marked by drift and irrelevance for far too long.
Ancelotti stated, "He couldn't be on the bench." "He wanted to say his goodbyes to the supporters, but he has one more chance because I believe Bale will be fine for the final," says the coach.
With the draw, Ancelotti's club finishes the season with 86 points, 13 more than Barcelona, who might close the gap when they play Villarreal at home on Sunday.
Real Betis are in fifth place, three points ahead of Real Sociedad, and have already qualified for the Europa League.
At moments, the game felt more like an exhibition than a competitive league match, more like a cozy end-of-season gathering.
Honorary guard
Before the game, there was a double guard of honour, with Real Madrid saluting Real Betis' Copa del Rey success and Betis saluting Madrid's La Liga title, with the audience clapping throughout.
There was also ovation for Isco, who is also out of contract at the end of June, and Real Betis' Joaquin, who came in for his 600th La Liga match in the second half.
Although David Alaba is still out injured, Ancelotti has named a strong team that could start against Liverpool next weekend. If the Austrian is thrown straight back in, it will be his first game in over a month.
"Alaba will play in the final," Ancelotti remarked thereafter. "It's not just about the physical aspect in this type of battle; it's also about ability and experience."
Neither team played with enough passion or precision to force mistakes or create clear chances in the first half.
There were times when Madrid's laziness devolved into sloppiness, with Casemiro garnering ire from both fans and teammates when he rushed a clearance and then skewed a crazy shot from distance.
Early in the second half, Benzema had his first genuine chance when he connected brilliantly with Dani Carvajal's cross, but his effort went straight at Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva. With seven minutes left, the Frenchman came close to winning it, but shot over after chesting Rodrygo's ball in.
Marcelo, Isco, and Joaquin all came on in the 86th minute, and Joaquin should have scored. Cristiano Tello's ball to the back post was wonderfully sent back to the striker, but he missed the target from eight yards.
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