Osasuna 0-0 Real Madrid
Real Madrid had the difficult task of becoming leaders in La Liga with a victory at Reyno de Navarra Stadium against Osasuna. The Whites dominated the match and had practically all the clear chances seen in the encounter, but the final score was a 0-0 draw.
Manuel Pellegrini’s lineup was the same as in the clash with Zaragoza, except for Xabi Alonso, who took Mahamadou Diarra’s place tonight. Van der Vaart (4′) and Higuain (5′) had the first chances in the game, while Aranda and Camuñas had shots on Casillas’ goal on the 18-minute mark.
Real Madrid dominated, but neither side had any clear chances for several minutes until Flaño missed a header under pressure from Alonso (31’). The Whites responded with a spectacular play from Arbeola, who dribbled past defenders with step-overs. He passed the ball to Van der Vaart, whose shot was grabbed by keeper Ricardo. Nekounam had a great chance from a header close to half-time, but Casillas pulled rank and made a spectacular save. The ball then landed at Aranda’s feet, but Garay stepped in in time to clear it.
The Madridistas were way more energetic in the second half. They made several steals in midfield and reached Osasuna’s goal more often. Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled past two defenders and pulled off a powerful shot that Ricardo cleared with his fists (47’). Ronaldo again tried to score from a shot from outside the box, but he was off target.
The Whites’ dominance steadily grew. Ronaldo had a free-kick in the 57th minute, but the ball hit the stands. Higuain then had the clearest chance in the game when Flaño opened up the way for him by slipping. The Argentine faced Ricardo alone, but the keeper made a magnificent save, sending the ball over the crossbar (64’). Pellegrini decided to bring on Benzema and Raul for Van der Vaart and Higuain, respectively, while Masoud and Ruper came on to strengthen Osasuna’s game.
The locals never gave up, but they hardly proved to be dangerous. Their only clear chance came from a header on the goal-line by Flaño that Casillas failed to reach in time but that Marcelo managed to clear (61′). Cristiano had another chance from a free-kick before the end of the game, but failed to score. In the end, Real Madrid dominated and Osasuna stood firm, resulting in a 0-0 draw.
Lineups:
Osasuna: Ricardo, Azpilicueta, Roversio, Miguel Flaño, Monreal, Puñal, Nekounam, Juanfran (Rúper 80′), Camuñas (Calleja 93′), Aranda (Masoud 64′), Pandiani;
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Raúl Albiol, Garay, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Lass, Marcelo (Granero 83′), Van der Vaart (Benzema 64′), Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín (Raul 73′);
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz.
Booked: Nekounam, Pandiani, Masoud, Sergio Ramos, Lass, Arbeloa;
Notes: La Liga, Matchday 16. Sergio Ramos and Lassana Diarra received a fifth booking each and will miss the match against Mallorca.
Venue: Reyno de Navarra Stadium.
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Manuel Pellegrini believes the match against Osasuna was “even.” Garay, Albiol and Ramos were happy with the team’s performance, but they all added how disappointing it was not to take three points that would have made them leaders tonight. Marcelo and Arbeloa were satisfied with the team’s performance despite the draw.
Pellegrini:
Garay:
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January 4, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Álvaro Arbeloa, CA Osasuna, Ezequiel Garay, Manuel Pellegrini, Marcelo Vieira, Raúl Albiol, Reyno de Navarra, Sergio Ramos | Leave A Comment »