Real Madrid conceded more early ground in the Primera
Division title race as Racing Santander winger Oscar
Serrano came close to making it two successive defeats
for Jose Mourinho's side.
A 1-0 weekend defeat by Levante was almost matched
with Serrano's shot which forced Iker Casillas into
the best save of the match.
Following a quiet opening, Racing threatened with a
free-kick floated into the box by Papa Diop after 20
minutes but Xabi Alonso got up well to head out for
a corner.
As the half hour approached Lassana Diarra tried a
shot from long distance but that was off target.
Marcelo floated a cross into the Racing box as Madrid
started to exert some control but the ball was too high
for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Marcelo then fired a low cross from the left across
the Racing box but Jose Maria Callejon just failed to
get a touch despite lunging at the ball.
Ronaldo skewed a volley wide from a difficult angle
and then the same player's cross was headed straight
at Antonio Tono by Callejon.
Serrano brought the game to life four minutes into
the second half with a left-foot shot which Casillas
dived low to his left to turn around the post.
Gonzalo Higuain had a shot after cutting in from the
right but Tono tipped the effort over.
Ronaldo was stopped by Bernardo Espinosa's strong challenge
but hit the free-kick into the wall, Alonso firing the
rebound wide.
Ronaldo then threaded a pass into the area but Karim
Benzema was bundled away from the ball.
Marcelo whipped in a cross but Ronaldo just failed
to get his head to the ball as another Madrid attack
broke down.
The ball broke to Higuain in another Madrid attack
but he fired into the side netting as the visitors'
last chance went begging.
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