Real Madrid defeat Osasuna and still dream of a double

Continuation of the race for the title of champion of Spain. After the narrow victory of Atlético de Madrid on the lawn of Elche (1-0) earlier in the day this Saturday, Real Madrid, runner-up to the Colchoneros, was doomed to victory during the reception of Osasuna if he hoped to continue to compete until the end of this La Liga. While this 34th day of the championship came between the two confrontations against Chelsea, in the semi-final of the Champions League, Zinédine Zidane aligned a 4-2-3-1 with the presence in particular of Odriozola, Varane, Marcelo, Antonio Blanco, Asensio, Hazard or even Benzema. For his part, Jagoba Arrasate, the coach of Rojillos, relied on a 4-1-4-1 to thwart the plans of the Merengues with Aridane, Lucas Torro, Roberto Torres or even Avila, tenured for the first time in peak season.

Quickly, Eden Hazard lit the first fuse of this part after a nice tumble but his shot went over the goals of Sergio Herrera (3rd). Three minutes later, after an incursion of the Madrilenians into the opponent’s area, neither Hazard, nor Vinicius Jr, nor Marco Asensio managed to find the fault in this mess (6th). If Zinédine Zidane’s men had control of the leather at the start of the meeting, Chimy Avila took advantage of a failed delivery from Karim Benzema, a fact rare enough to be highlighted, to heat the gloves of Courtois from afar (9th). The visitors showed great generosity in their efforts, bravely playing their luck, like this center forcing Courtois to relax at the conclusion of a nice collective movement (23rd). But Real Madrid insisted and, in the process, against, Benzema did not adjust his volley (24th) while Hazard, very enterprising, then Militão, with a head twice, came up against a Sergio in quick succession. Herrera in great shape (26th, 29th).

Militão, awarded, delivers Real Madrid

The danger was becoming more and more pressing in front of Osasuna’s goals, but Vinicius Jr was narrowly missing in the last gesture (33 ‘). If Chimy Avila thought to open the scoring against the course of the game just before the break, his goal was refused for an obvious offside position (45th). On the return from the locker room, Real Madrid pushed to take cover (56th), in vain, while Osasuna operated against, creating a few chances, evidenced by this distant strike from Jon Moncayola repelled by Thibaut Courtois (54th ). At the hour of play, the Rojillos imposed more intense pressing on the Madrilenians who were struggling to be as dangerous as in the first period. Enough to push ZZ to launch Rodrygo (65th), who, on one of his first balls, struck and released a shot failing not far from the right post of Herrera (68th).

While Real Madrid were slowly moving towards another goalless draw in the league, Eder Militão victoriously took over an Isco corner header to deliver his team (1-0, 76th). The Brazilian’s first goal of the season, rewarded after trying his luck several times in this part, arrived at the right time and allowed the Merengues to free themselves since Casemiro, served by Karim Benzema, then made the break by deceiving involuntarily and with of success Sergio Herrera (2-0, 80th). Despite attempts by Benzema (84th) or Isco (88th), the score did not move at the end of the game. Thanks to this 2-0 victory, Real Madrid (2nd, 74 points) remain two units behind the leader, Atlético and continue their fine streak of 19 games without defeat in all competitions. What to fill up with confidence before going to London on Wednesday to play the semi-final return of C1 against Chelsea. For his part, Osasuna (11th, 40 points) connects a second setback and remains stuck in the soft underbelly of the Spanish championship.

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