Real Madrid's Brazilian duo Eder Militao and Casemiro struck in the second half to secure a 2-0 home win over stubborn Osasuna on Saturday and keep the heat on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid. It was not an easy match even why Real could have scored more. Osasuna tried their best to stop the Madridistas from creating and getting closer to the goal and for many reasons they hold their goal inviolate until the last 20 minutes which caused Real Madrid to lose more energy and suffer somehow psychologically.
Real Madrid took to the pitch against Osasuna knowing very well that only a win would suffice in their fight for the LaLiga title and the Whites clinched all three points to keep their hopes alive with just four games remaining in the competition. The points were secured in the second half thanks to goals by Éder Militão and Casemiro in the space of four minutes. In the first half, the hosts carved out several chances to opening the scoring. The first fell to Eden Hazard in the fourth minute, but he fired over the bar after a fine piece of individual skill. Ten minutes later, Casemiro tried his luck from inside his own half but his lobbed effort just went over Herrera’s goal.
Osasuna soon responded with a cross-shot from Manu Sánchez which forced Thibaut Courtois into a save on 23’. Three minutes later, Madrid created a golden chance when Marcelo whipped the ball in from the left and Hazard connected with the cross but saw his effort tipped over the crossbar by Herrera. The visitors’ goalie was once again on hand to save his team when he palmed over a powerful header from Militão. This was the hosts’ best period of the first half and on the half-hour mark, the Brazilian centre-back was denied again by Herrera when he nodded straight into his hands after a cross from Antonio Blanco. Vinicius Jr. then produced some fine footwork before firing into the side-netting on 33’.
Nacho came on in place of Raphaël Varane at the break, before Zinedine Zidane shuffled his pack by bringing on Rodrygo and Miguel for Vini Jr. and Marcelo. Indeed, Rodrygo it was who came a whisker away from breaking the deadlock just four minutes after entering the fray when his effort from the edge of the box skimmed the visitors’ woodwork. The madridistas were now pouring forward in search of a breakthrough as they bid to claim a vital three points in the race for the LaLiga title and the goal duly came in the 76th minute. Just minutes after having replaced Eden Hazard, Isco whipped in a corner and Militão leapt highest to nod the ball home. He not only scored, but also confirmed the great period he is having.
This long awaited advantage would give Real Madrid a boost. They had the game in hand now and it was only them who could miss it. The game should have been closed before, but not being accurate enough and lacking a good deal of luck kept Real Madrid away from the three points for 76 minutes. But the most important thing, the goal, was finally scored and there was no room to think about how the game could have changed. It was the time not only to protect the advantage but also to secure it by making it greater.
Then, shortly after, it was “game over” for the guests. In four minutes, the hosts doubled their advantage to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. Benzema launched a counter-attack and dribbled his way into the area, before slipping a fine ball through to Casemiro, who put the ball past the advancing Herrera with his first touch. The Whites could have netted a third in the 87th minute following a sublime piece of play from Isco that saw him get past Aridane, only to see his effort fail to hit the target. Zidane’s charges, who have recorded clean sheets in five of their last six outings, now turn their attentions to the second leg of the Champions League semi-final clash against Chelsea.
Coach Zinedine Zidane left midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric on the bench for the whole game and turned to reserve team player Antonio Blanco, while bringing on fellow youngsters Miguel Gutierrez and Sergio Arribas in the second half. We can say that he managed everything greatly, securing the three points and also saving some energies to the team as the upcoming match, a crucial one, was only 4 days away.
Here are Zidane’s post-match words: "I'm very happy with the result. It wasn't easy. They defended very well but in the end, with patience, we got there. We had plenty of chances in the first half. Their keeper made three saves. I'm happy for Militao. When he wasn't playing, he worked hard, waited for his chances and got it. We hope Varane isn't out for Chelsea, but we have to have on him. Regarding Hazard, we know what he can do and I'm happy with how he performed. We'll go little by little with him. With Blanco, well he played against Cádiz and again tonight. He's a Castilla player but he played well with us, just like Gutierrez. "When teams play against us, they're at their very best. They give it their all and it's hard for us. Today, we have three points and that's it. Physically we're improving, we're going well mentally and physically. I hope Ramos is back. If he's good, he'll be with us."
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