Real Madrid are once again top of La Liga after a 3-1 victory over a resolute Osasuna side. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco and Lucas Vasquez were enough to cancel out Sergio Leon's strike, as Madrid's break prior to this game proved important as a refreshed eleven despite not playing their best, showed their quality when it mattered to see off bottom of the league in Sergio Ramos' 500th game for the club,
El Capitan Sergio Ramos will play his 500th game for Real Madrid vs Osasuna.#HalaMadrid #GrandeRamos pic.twitter.com/PiXxC87kOB
The first twenty minutes were frustrating for Real, as Osasuna refused to allow Madrid any momentum in the early goings.
The opening stages of the half were overshadowed by an awful injury for Osasuna full back Bonnin, who's leg bent the wrong way in an extremely awkward looking challenge with Isco. The TV replay only emphasised how excruciating the injury was.
Bonnin now stretchered off, Madrid continued to probe while Osasuna sticking to their task of stopping Madrid at all costs. Despite the clear domination in terms of possession, the away side were struggling to create any clear cut chances until a certain man decided to change that.
Benzema picked up the ball in the Osasuna half and immediately looked up at played a delicious through ball to none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese striker let the ball run in front of him before striking the ball under the keeper from a tight angle. If truth be told the Osasuna stopper should have done a lot better.
Twenty-four minutes gone,Los Blancos now in the ascendancy, you'd think that the white of Madrid would push on and add to their goal tally, but not playing their best Madrid allowed Osasuna back in the game just minutes later.
Real's high line proved to be their downfall, as a long ball over the top of Ramos and Varane let Sergio Leon in behind. The striker's pace proved to much for the Real defence and once faced with Keylor Navas in goal, he showed composure and almost arrogance with a delicate chip over the charging keeper. Game on.
Osasuna, a team who should be short of confidence, continued to play gutsy, attacking football, which did leave leave them deceptive to the counter attack, but this didn't stop the home side from pressing.
A sliced effort from Ronaldo, summed up Madrid's lack of conviction in front of goal, and they nearly conceded another right at the end of the half when Vujadinovic's low drive was destined for the corner only for Navas' fingertips to tip the ball just wide of the post.
HT: @CAOsasuna 1-1 #RealMadrid (Sergio León 33'; @Cristiano 24').#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/sG5dhK7pCM
The two sides went in at half time on level terms, but the manager's team talks would no doubt be completely different with league aspirations being at opposite ends of the spectrum.
After a surprisingly even first half, common sense would suggest that the break would kill any momentum Osasuna had gained in the first forty five minutes.
The home side distilled any thoughts of this happening, as just four minutes into the second half they nearly had a second with Leon forcing another great save from Navas.
The next fifteen minutes saw the two sides at a stalemate, with very few chances and only Danilo hobbling off following a late challenge being anything of note to talk about, but as the saying goes: form is temporary, class is permanent.
Karim Benzema had the ball in the Osasuna box and although the Osasuna defence managed to stop the attack initially, a mix up when clearing their lines meant that Isco could pick up the pieces taking the ball past two players and slotting it into the bottom corner. Surely the home side couldn't recover again...
Both teams were now committing on the counter attack now, meaning a very exciting phase of the game for the neutral. The home fans were trying their best to push their tired, weary players on, but Madrid who were now full of beans and showing their physical edge began to dominate.
Vasquez replaced Benzema to add some fresh legs and much needed pace if Madrid were to get that all important third goal.
Ronaldo nearly got just that, with a sweeping counter attack leading to Ronaldo using his trickery to create space before a left footed toe poke was stopped by the feet of Sirigu, who is currently on loan from PSG.
Fatigue now being a huge factor, Madrid were now comfortable on the ball and running down the clock passing the ball around an Osasuna side who had run their socks off. Ronaldo had a penalty shout turned down after he was blocked off by Garcia, it wasn't a stonewall penalty but they've definitely been given in the past.
Madrid's possession stats at this stage were at an impressive sixty six percent; 'cruise control' is how their play could be described with the minutes fading away fast for Osasuna.
The lack of possession for the home side, didn't stop the threat of a counter attack and a shock equaliser nearly occurred when Sergio Leon, the best player on the park for Osasuna, had a long range effort which was heading in only for Navas, once again, to use his impressive agility and dive across to his left hand side and make an unbelievable save.
This proved to be Osasuna's last attempt on goal, as their risky tactics of piling men forward finally proved to be their downfall, with the match into added time, Madrid mustered one more counter attack. The ball was played into Ronaldo by Marcelo, who's clever dummer released Vasquez who duly obliged by dinking the ball over Sirigu to secure the win.
The game then fizzled out to a halt, with Madrid returning to the top of La Liga, despite not playing their best football. The scoreline was slightly harsh on Osasuna, who played out of their skins to try and grind a result and if they play like this week in week out til the end of the season, they may have a chance of surviving relegation.
�✅ #RMLiga#RealMadrid 1�⃣1�⃣  @CAOsasuna!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/qXcTQfuu7z