DPA © Real Madrid were relieved to get a controversial late 1-1 draw Saturday at home to Spanish leaders Barcelona, in the first of four Clasicos to be played within 18 days.
The draw leaves Barca eight points ahead with six matches left, well placed to clinch their third straight league title.
However, the draw will put Real in good heart for Wednesday's King's Cup final against Barca - and for their clashes in the semi- finals of the Champions League.
It was the first time that Real had avoided defeat against their old enemy since Pep Guardiola took over at Barca in 2008 and was achieved with 10 men, because defender Raul Albiol was harshly sent off when committing the penalty from which Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead.
Real keeper Casillas said: "Our aim was to win and reduce Barca's lead. We didn't do that, but the draw is not a bad result, in the circumstances."
Barca defender Gerard Pique said: "We are annoyed at how this game slipped away from us. We should have finished it off earlier."
Real coach Jose Mourinho raised eyebrows with a cautious lineup, putting defender Pepe in midfield. As usual, Barca controlled possession from start to finish, obliging the whites to defend in depth.
Messi was twice foiled by Real keeper Iker Casillas in the first half. In the 26th minute, Casillas seemed to have pulled down David Villa for a penalty but was reprieved by the referee.
Real only created danger from set-piece situations. Just before half-time, Barca left-back Adriano did well to clear a header from Cristiano Ronaldo off the goal-line.
Four minutes after the restart, Ronaldo - who has never scored against Barca - hit the post with a low free-kick.
Two minutes later, Albiol clumsily failed to control a bouncing ball, then pulled down Villa for a penalty - and was given a harsh direct red card.
Messi calmly put away the penalty, taking his league total to 30, one more than Ronaldo.
Barca captain Carles Puyol, back from injury after three months, was stretchered off with a pulled muscle, and the Catalans started to look vulnerable in defence.
Even so, they missed clear chances to put Real out of their misery.
Eight minutes from the end, the hosts were given a controversial penalty when Dani Alves pulled down fellow Brazilian Marcelo. Replays clearly showed that Alves touched the ball before the man.
Ronaldo made it 1-1 from the spot, and the Estadio Bernabeu heaved a collective sight of relief at their team having avoided another Clasico defeat.
Earlier Saturday, Valencia took another step toward clinching third place in the Spanish Liga with a 3-0 romp at bottom team Almeria.
Roberto Soldado, Marius Stankevicius and Jordi Alba scored the goals for Valencia, all in the second half, taking advantage of some sloppy defending from the hosts.
Unai Emery's team now have 63 points from 32 games, nine more than fourth-place Villarreal, who host lowly Zaragoza on Sunday.
If Valencia clinch third place, they will obtain direct entry to the Champions League, in which they reached the round of 16 this season.
Almeria, in contrast, have a doomed, resigned look about them. They have just 26 points, four less than Hercules and seven less than Malaga and Zaragoza.
Also Saturday, Malaga improved their survival chances by thrashing Mallorca 3-0.
Sebastian Fernandez gave Malaga the lead, then fit-again Brazilian Julio Baptista started to pay off his massive pricetag with two handsome goals.
"I am delighted to finally be able to help Malaga," Baptista said. "This club has invested heavily in me, and I will do my best to help it."
Getafe edged Sevilla 1-0 thanks to a goal 14 minutes from time by Venezuelan striker Miku, after being played through by man-of-the- match Dani Parejo.
The defeat leaves Sevilla in fifth place, eight points behind Villarreal, with their chances of returning to the Champions League in tatters.
Getafe, for their part, moved up to 12th, safely above the danger zone.
The draw leaves Barca eight points ahead with six matches left, well placed to clinch their third straight league title.
However, the draw will put Real in good heart for Wednesday's King's Cup final against Barca - and for their clashes in the semi- finals of the Champions League.
It was the first time that Real had avoided defeat against their old enemy since Pep Guardiola took over at Barca in 2008 and was achieved with 10 men, because defender Raul Albiol was harshly sent off when committing the penalty from which Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead.
Real keeper Casillas said: "Our aim was to win and reduce Barca's lead. We didn't do that, but the draw is not a bad result, in the circumstances."
Barca defender Gerard Pique said: "We are annoyed at how this game slipped away from us. We should have finished it off earlier."
Real coach Jose Mourinho raised eyebrows with a cautious lineup, putting defender Pepe in midfield. As usual, Barca controlled possession from start to finish, obliging the whites to defend in depth.
Messi was twice foiled by Real keeper Iker Casillas in the first half. In the 26th minute, Casillas seemed to have pulled down David Villa for a penalty but was reprieved by the referee.
Real only created danger from set-piece situations. Just before half-time, Barca left-back Adriano did well to clear a header from Cristiano Ronaldo off the goal-line.
Four minutes after the restart, Ronaldo - who has never scored against Barca - hit the post with a low free-kick.
Two minutes later, Albiol clumsily failed to control a bouncing ball, then pulled down Villa for a penalty - and was given a harsh direct red card.
Messi calmly put away the penalty, taking his league total to 30, one more than Ronaldo.
Barca captain Carles Puyol, back from injury after three months, was stretchered off with a pulled muscle, and the Catalans started to look vulnerable in defence.
Even so, they missed clear chances to put Real out of their misery.
Eight minutes from the end, the hosts were given a controversial penalty when Dani Alves pulled down fellow Brazilian Marcelo. Replays clearly showed that Alves touched the ball before the man.
Ronaldo made it 1-1 from the spot, and the Estadio Bernabeu heaved a collective sight of relief at their team having avoided another Clasico defeat.
Earlier Saturday, Valencia took another step toward clinching third place in the Spanish Liga with a 3-0 romp at bottom team Almeria.
Roberto Soldado, Marius Stankevicius and Jordi Alba scored the goals for Valencia, all in the second half, taking advantage of some sloppy defending from the hosts.
Unai Emery's team now have 63 points from 32 games, nine more than fourth-place Villarreal, who host lowly Zaragoza on Sunday.
If Valencia clinch third place, they will obtain direct entry to the Champions League, in which they reached the round of 16 this season.
Almeria, in contrast, have a doomed, resigned look about them. They have just 26 points, four less than Hercules and seven less than Malaga and Zaragoza.
Also Saturday, Malaga improved their survival chances by thrashing Mallorca 3-0.
Sebastian Fernandez gave Malaga the lead, then fit-again Brazilian Julio Baptista started to pay off his massive pricetag with two handsome goals.
"I am delighted to finally be able to help Malaga," Baptista said. "This club has invested heavily in me, and I will do my best to help it."
Getafe edged Sevilla 1-0 thanks to a goal 14 minutes from time by Venezuelan striker Miku, after being played through by man-of-the- match Dani Parejo.
The defeat leaves Sevilla in fifth place, eight points behind Villarreal, with their chances of returning to the Champions League in tatters.
Getafe, for their part, moved up to 12th, safely above the danger zone.
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