CRISTIANO Ronaldo and the rest of Real Madrid's star-studded attack didn't produce a single shot on goal in a 1-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday as the Spanish leaders stumbled for a second straight week in the race for the league title.
Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz rose to head in the game's only goal in the 26th minute, and 20-year-old strike partner Inaki Williams was also effective.
Madrid's best chance came toward the end when Gareth Bale's long lob hit the post.
Madrid, which drew at home to Villarreal in the last round, was left two points ahead of Barcelona. The Catalan club can go top by beating Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
"We gave the game away," said Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Less than three months ago, Madrid was unbeatable, finishing 2014 with a Spanish record 22-winning streak. Since then, injuries, tired first-choice players and tougher competition have brought the reigning European champions down to earth.
Since the winter break, Madrid has lost three times and drawn once in 11 league games and has also exited the Copa del Rey. It hosts Schalke on Tuesday in the Champions League looking to make good on its 2-0 lead in their round-of-16 tie.
Bilbao got the better of Madrid in a free-flowing match that saw both sides attack at a high tempo but neither managed to create many scoring opportunities.
Ronaldo was held in check, Karim Benzema was barely noticeable, and Bale could only threaten with his desperate long-range attempt as he went without a goal for the eighth consecutive match.
Elsewhere, forward Victor "Vitolo" Machin scored twice to lead Sevilla's entertaining 4-3 win at Deportivo La Coruna.
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