Real Madrid vs CA Osasuna, 6th Nov 2011

Real Madrid unleash wrath on Osasuna!

By Shivashankar

Real Madrid demolished Osasuna 7-1, in front of 70000 home supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo scored yet another hattrick, a brace by Benzema and a goal each from Pepe, Higuain sealed the rout.

Real Madrid hosted Osasuna, on Sunday, for the first ever mid-day kick-off (12:00 CET). The atmosphere was electric, as usual, at the Bernabeu. Before the kick-off, Real paid tribute to Antonio Cassano, who underwent a heart surgery, by wearing jersey’s with “Forza Cassano” and bearing his old jersey number “19”. Cristiano Ronaldo also displayed his Golden Boot to the Bernabeu, the ‘White House’. Real missed Kaka, Marcelo through injury, but welcomed back Nuri Sahin and Alvaro Arbeloa, who started as RB. For Osasuna, the starting XI remained the same that beat Levante, but for Alvaro Cejudo was suspended.

The match started with Real starting to bombard Osasuna’s box constantly, through the usual suspects (Cristiano, Di Maria, Ozil and Higuain). Khedira glanced a header wide in the 9^th minute. Di Maria wasted a treble of chances inside 15 minutes. In the next 5 minutes, Real were unable to score, through Higuain, Di Maria (who proved once again that he is v.weak with his right foot) and Cristiano. But during all these failed attacks, one must note that Osasuna played an extremely defensive game, with almost 10 players, inside their own half. In the 22^nd minute, Di Maria floated in a neat cross and Cristiano made amends for his missed chance. 

The Golden boot winner headed home the opener. Di Maria wasted yet another chance a few minutes later. On the other end, Osasuna ha their first shot at goal, in the 28^th minute, a ferocious shot from 3 yards, by Nekounam. The referee gave a controversial freekick in 30^th minute, for an alleged foul by Arbeloa. Amidst the appeals by Real, controversy prevailed as Raul Garcia slid in the ball to Ibrahima, who scored through Iker’s legs for the equalizer. A minute later, yet another controversial decision was made by the referee when Cristiano’s acceptable shoulder (when he was through on goal) was adjudged foul.

The Wrath of Real Madrid

What happens when teams frustrate and anger Real Madrid? Rayo Vallecano, Ajax, Lyon found it the hard way. On Sunday, it was Osasuna’s turn to unleash Real’s wrath upon them! The controversial second goal angered Real, and that led to a flurry of attacks. Di Maria made up for his earlier misses, in the 34^th minute, as he floated in yet another beauty, as Pepe neatly scored. Los Merengues 2 – Osasuna 1. 5 minutes later, an excellent build up play between resulted in Maria finding Higuain inside the box, who turned from a marker and fired a curled one in, for an outstanding goal! At this point of time, Real were enjoying 70% possession. Ozil hit the post in the 43^rd minute, from a Coentrao assist. And that was the end of the half, with 3 assists for Maria.

Di Maria injured his hamstring early in the second half, and was substituted by Benzema. He was stretched off, amidst a standing ovation from the Bernabeu. Real, started from where they had left off in the 1^st half, with several attacks. In the 53^rd minute, Satrustegui, a debutant for Osasuna, made his second yellow card offense when he brought down Ozil inside the box. Cristiano coolly scored the penalty. 4-1. But it was not over yet for Osasuna, as Arbeloa sent in a cross, and Cristiano headed yet another goal in the 57^th. Hattrick number 12^th for the Merengues! 5 minutes later, Coentrao made a beautiful run down the flank and chipped the ball inside the box, Khedira headed it perfectly for Benzema to add one more to the scoresheet!

The most expected event of the noon, Nuri Sahin’s appearance, came on the 67^th minute, as he came on for Khedira and greeted by a standing ovation for Bundesliga’s player of the 2010/11 season (Wearing the #5 jersey, made famous by Zidane!). He appeared in good touch, with a slew of passes and also took a freekick in the 76^th minute. In the 81^st minute, Arbeloa, again after an excellent run, assisted Benzema to score Real’s 7^th of the night! It was a complete misery for Osasuna, who would have wished that, they could have defended in numbers, instead of attempting to attack. Cristiano hit the post, from a seemingly impossible angle in the 87^th. The match ended with no injury time, as Real picked up their 10^th consecutive victory.

 

TOP OF THE MATCH

Cristiano Ronaldo – Showed the entire world, the reason why he won the Golden Boot. Period.

Di Maria - Had a torrid time, firing awkward shots with both his foot. But made up for those misses in an excellent manner, by assisting 3 goals in the 1^st half.

FLOP OF THE MATCH

Satrustegui – Was quite evident that this was his first game after being promoted from Osasuna B. Untidy tackles, inefficient marking and above all, a red card summed up his debut game.