Zidane was sent off before the interval for a second booking
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Real Madrid's chances of ending the season without a trophy increased when they lost 2-0 to a below-strength Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
Madrid, who bowed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals, are four points behind Valencia after they beat Real Betis 2-0 on Sunday.
The Spanish champions had midfielder Zinedine Zidane sent off just before half-time for a second yellow card.
Forward Diego Tristan and defender Joan Capdevila scored for Deportivo.
Madrid, who were defeated in the final of the Spanish Cup to Real Zaragoza, have now lost four of their last seven league games.
Deportivo rested several first-team players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second against Porto but they were still too strong.
The visitors hit the woodwork three times in the first half through Ronaldo, Raul and Esteban Cambiasso but they were made pay through Tristan's opener and their cause was not helped with Zidane's dismissal.
David Beckham, who was also booked in the first half, was replaced by Argentine midfielder Santiago Solari just after the hour.
Soon after, Deportivo made the points safe when Capdevila hit an unstoppable drive after being set up by Djalminha and Mauro Silva.
But Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz insisted his side had not given up on the title.
"It's going to be really difficult but we are still hopeful and we are going to keep fighting until the final minute," he said.
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MMIX
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We are still hopeful
