Osasuna v.s madrid post match comments
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They drew 1-1.
Ibrahima bakayoko scored for osasuna and ronaldo equalised
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Valencia top as Ronaldo rescues Real
MADRID, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Valencia snatched top spot in the Primera Liga on Saturday thanks to a 3-2 home win over Real Zaragoza, while champions Real Madrid slipped to second after a barely deserved 1-1 draw at dominant Osasuna.
Ronaldo saved the day for Real with a 74th-minute strike to cancel out a top-class finish from Ivory Coast striker Ibrahima Bakayoko, who had put the Navarrans ahead early in the first half.
Valencia made a great start at the Mestalla as they stormed to a 3-0 halftime lead against Zaragoza, with neatly crafted goals from wingers Jorge Lopez and Vicente, and gifted Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar.
But Zaragoza hit back with well worked strikes from centre forward David Villa and midfielder Cani and the Mediterranean side had to endure a nervous last 10 minutes to hold on for victory.
The results left Valencia and Real level on 27 points, but Rafa Benitez's side lead the table on goal difference.
Their reign at the top may turn out to be short-lived, though, as third-placed Deportivo Coruna, who are only a point behind, could leapfrog both teams if they beat Villarreal on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid moved up into fourth place a further four points back after notching their sixth victory in seven matches with a 2-0 win over Malaga at the Calderon, while Osasuna climbed to fifth.
Real Madrid, who made the trip north without injured midfielders Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo and defender Roberto Carlos, began with Esteban Cambiasso and Guti in the centre of midfield, while David Beckham reverted to his former position on the right flank.
But they never looked comfortable at a packed El Sadar and it was Osasuna who were the first to show when Bakayoko controlled a flying cross with his back to goal, swivelled and volleyed just over the bar on five minutes.
Real failed to heed the early warning, though, and six minutes later the former Olympique Marseille player put the Navarrans ahead with a cool finish.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the area from fellow striker John Aloisi, Bakayoko checked inside Ivan Helguera and fired the ball past Real keeper Iker Casillas with a fierce left-foot finish.
The champions recovered their nerve a little on the half hour mark when Ronaldo produced a couple of his trademark jinking runs that provided the first threats to the Osasuna defence.
But it was Osasuna who continued to dominate as they poured through the middle and tormented the Real defence.
The Navarrans manufactured a host of further scoring chances but the Primera Liga's leading scorer Ronaldo made them pay when he equalised 16 minutes from time to take his season's tally to 10 goals.
David Beckham, who was back in the middle in the second half, threaded a perfect through pass to the feet of the Brazilian who sprinted past one defender, fended off another and tucked home inside the near post. -
Player Goals
Luiz Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 10
Miguel Mista (Valencia) 8
Walter Pandiani (Deportivo La Coruña) 7
Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid) 7
Samuel Eto'o (Mallorca) 6
Ariza Makukula (Valladolid) 6 -
29/11/2003
Third time no luck..., but nearly. Real Madrid earned a valuable point from their visit to one of the toughest grounds in first division. They played a spotless Osasuna, which showed its standing on the table and its aspiration to European goals. The Whites played very seriously and managed to get over the first blow by local forward Bakayoko. Their reaction was fantastic and the target was finally hit by Ronaldo in the second half. Beckham had to leave the field with an injury after doing the best performance of the Whites alongside the Brazilian striker. He had to be replaced in the late minutes when Queiroz' boys were showing their best play.
Queiroz made a more classic choice with a very clear-cut 4-4-2 lineup. Beckham and Solari were positioned at the flanks; Cambiasso took over the defensive front line and Guti made the link with the strikers, though he also swapped positions with the English, who displayed a powerful drive all the time. The spirit of the team did not change though, as they stuck to the obsession to control the ball right from kick-off. They tried hard to do so despite the overwhelming pressure of the home side.
The locals were highly motivated by the great atmosphere on Pamplona's stands. The crowd supported the amazing authority that their side enjoyed for the early ten minutes of play. Osasuna did wonderfully, including Bakayoko's hit in a top-quality action. They proved a constant danger on Casillas' goal.
Madrid was not doing badly, as all its moves flowed smoothly. However, their attacks did not seemed to match the local drive. Then, they stepped their play up with the result of Cambiasso's first warning. His long-range shot went too high. Ronaldo was the next to try on the local goal (27'). His shot hit Josetxo. The Brazilian went for it again dribbling past three defenders, but his assist finally got no destination. The tide of the play began to turn gradually as the goal-scoring opportunities were now on the other goal.
This change of course did not last much longer because Osasuna took a deep breath to show all their aggressiveness (three straight cards). The danger came from Valdo and Bakayoko's feet, which enjoyed the assistance of Alisi and Moha. The local coach was going for the attack and his tactics seemed to be getting a reward. In the meantime, Madrid tried hard to get its own. The most active player in the white side tonight was Ronaldo, who brushed the woodwork in the last dangerous action of the first half, with no doubt an exciting one.
Beckham to the centre
There was a tactic change in the second half. Beckham moved to the centre for good, leaving Guti's position further to the side. After that, Núñez came on to reinforce the right flank. Madrid got more possession of the ball. Osasuna was encouraged by a favourable score that they did not want to risk. Besides, Valdo kept giving a lot of trouble to their old teammates (Pavón, Rául Bravo, Núñez...). The local coach seemed to have planned the game very well.
The circumstances seemed to point at a third straight defeat in Pamplona... but then, Ronaldo came up to show why he is the most lethal striker on earth. His great goal made the draw and puzzled the so far perfect play of the home side. It was a most harmful goal. Ronaldo took advantage of the bewilderment. The tables had been turned. Now the game was in Madrid's hands, and so was the ball and the opportunities. Beckham's unfortunate injury cooled down the Whites' ardour, as he has been the best white player. The draw finally seemed a good result for both sides. -
THE MATCH:
1 - OSASUNA: Sanzol; Izquierdo, Josetxo, Cruchaga, Antonio López; Valdo (Webo, 77'), Puñal, Pablo GarcÃa, Moha (Pinheiro, 67'); Aloisi (Rivero, 67') and Bakayoko.
1 - REAL MADRID: Casillas; MÃchel Salgado, Pavón, Helguera, Raúl Bravo; Beckham (Borja, 86'), Cambiasso (Núñez, 63'), Guti, Solari; Raúl and Ronaldo.
REFEREE: Arturo Daudén Ibáñez, Aragon Referees Association.
Yellow cards to Cruchaga, Pablo GarcÃa, Bakayoko.
GOALS
1-0: Min.10: Bakayoko dribbles in the area and beats Casillas.
1-1: Min. 74: Good assist from Beckham to Ronaldo, who outruns his rivals and puts the ball past the local keeper.
OTHER FACTS: El Sadar Stadium, 18.000 spectators. Liga Matchday 13. -
disgusting real madrid performance ....
i thot they really looked clueluess without ZZ's vision and passing in midfield
Figo's wing play and creativity
as well as Carlos direct and hard working running on the left flank
No one in madrid's lineup seem interested in taking charge of the game ... all passing the ball around wifout proper intent.
Think generally Real's defence all rite ... except for the moment when Bakayoko turned the last man and shot past Casillas ...
Midfield, Becks wif setting up the equaliser ... he was alrite in the game. Guti and Solari was horrible ... they lost the ball and did not want to fight 4 de ball. Cambiasso .... so so ...
Raul very quiet in the game ... sigh ... guess he was missing his best partner in crime: ZZ
Ronaldo superb equaliser ... out of nothing ... nice snap shot ... several occassions quite selfish ... but definitely was one of the Best players on the pitch. -
acctually long before the match start i already knew real madrid wont win.
reason ? very simple. whole world punting on real madrid to win and so long as real madrid wins by 1 goal they win. bookies aint that dumb