The China Mail - Real Madrid look to Liverpool after goalless draw with Real Betis

Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong side for Madrid's last La Liga game of the season but with the title long sewn-up and the final in Paris just around the corner, neither team were keen to over-exert.

Instead, the contest was notable for the tribute paid to Marcelo and the lack of one for Gareth Bale.

Both players are expected to leave when their contracts expire this summer but only Marcelo was involved here, with Bale absent again from the squad.

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. Marcelo accepted applause from his teammates after the final whistle and left, waving to the stands as he went.

Bale, meanwhile, 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, after four years of relative drift and irrelevance

The draw means Ancelotti's team finish the season on 86 points, 13 ahead of Barcelona, who could reduce the gap when they play at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

Real Betis sit fifth, three points clear of Real Sociedad, with Europa Leauge qualification already secured.

The match almost felt like an exhibition at times, less a competitive league fixture than a cosy end-of-season event.

Before kick-off, there was a double guard of honour, as Real Madrid recognised Real Betis' victory in the Copa del Rey before Betis saluted Madrid's triumph in La Liga, the crowd applauding throughout.

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.

M.Chau--ThChM