Madrid - Troubled Spanish giants Real Madrid crashed to their fourth straight defeat, 3-1 at home to lively Mallorca in the only Liga game played on 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.
