Madrid, Mar 15: There was a sombre atmosphere at the Bernabeu stadium as the Real Madrid and Zaragoza players of both sides walked on to the pitch carrying a white banner emblazoned with a black ribbon of mourning and wearing black armbands. Real Madrid dropped points at the Bernabeu for only the second time this season when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Zaragoza on Saturday in a game overshadowed by this weeks bomb attacks in the city. At one end of the stadium supporters unfurled a huge Spanish flag during the minutes silence that preceded the match and many of the 70,000 fans held aloft flags and banners in memory of the 200 victims of Thursdays train bombings. It was a very strange day for all of us and very difficult to play football given the events of this week, Real Madrids acting captain Roberto Carlos said after the match.
Real, fielding several second-string players, took the lead just before the half hour when reserve striker Javier Portillo headed in at the far post after a fine cross from midfielder Juanfran.


But Zaragoza, who play Real in next weeks Kings Cup final, hit back four minutes later when defender Delio Toledo nodded in an angled header after a corner.


The result left Real seven points clear of Valencia at the top of the table, but Rafa Benitezs side can cut the deficit if they win away at relegation-threatened Celta Vigo on Sunday.


Bureau Report