Real Madrid lose fourth league match on the trot

MADRID - Troubled Spanish giants Real Madrid crashed to

their fourth straight defeat, 3-1 at home to lively Mallorca in the

only League game played Sunday.

Since crashing 6-2 at home to champions Barcelona three weeks ago,

nothing has gone right for Real.

The club is embroiled in a bitter election campaign, with the

sports papers full of rumours about summer signings and new coaches.

The latest defeat leaves them eight points behind Barca, who face

Manchester United in Wednesday’s Champions League final, but lost 1-0

Saturday to lowly Osasuna with a reserve-packed team.

Real are assured of second place because they are 11 points ahead

of third-placed Sevilla.

Gonzalo Higuain gave Real the lead in the 21st minute by heading

in a free-kick from Rafael Van der Vaart. But just six minutes later

Juan Arango levelled for Mallorca after being set up by Aritz Aduriz.

On the hour, Cleber Santana made it 2-1 for Mallorca, taking the

ball from within his own half and scoring with an unstoppable drive.

With Real in chaos and the Estadio Bernabeu jeering their own

team, Alhassane Keita made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute with a powerful

long drive.

This fourth straight defeat is another nail in the coffin of Real

coach Juande Ramos, who had won 17 out of 19 games before the

traumatic humiliation against Barcelona.

– DPA