Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid
(Vinícius Júnior). A tough game ends in a loss… Here is the reaction to the late defeat. Next up: Player ratings, post game interviews and a live podcast with Kiyan.Back to league action for Real Madrid after the disgraceful mid-week events in Europe, and everyone would be hoping that the game against Osasuna would be solely football focused. Trent Alexander-Arnold had been playing some very good football recently, but he was benched to accommodate the return of Dani Carvajal.
David Alaba would be another individual stepping in to help at the back, while Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Aureluen Tchoamnei would all play in their favoured positions in midfield. Thiago Pitarch from Castilla was on the bench. Dani Carvajal captained the team this evening.
Osasuna started well, applying pressure and creating the opening chances through Ante Budimir – who hit the post via a header. For Madrid, David Alaba of all people came close after he was found by a nutmegged pass from Dani Caravajal. Thibaut Courtois pulled off a world class save to stop the home side from a set piece, before Osasuna had a penalty when Budimir clashed with the big Belgian keeper. He stayed calm to put his team ahead, and they deservedly took that lead into the interval. 1-0 Osasuna at half-time.
It was Osasuna who started the second half on top as well, managing play expertly and minimizing any Real Madrid chances for the first 25 minutes of the half. Vinícius Júnior was in form though, and it would take more than that to keep him quiet. Fede Valverde whipped a ball across the box after a great run – for the Brazilian to cushion the ball home for 1-1. Kylian Mbappé then had a goal-bound shot blocked as the game slowly began to turn – but Madrid wouldn’t worry the home fans until Trent Alexander-Arnold came on and curled a free-kick over the target. This would be costly, as Raúl Asencio was completely sent by Raúl García before the Osasuna player finished wonderfully to hand them the win. Full-time: Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid – and another terrible result for Álvaro Arbeloa and his side. What are your thoughts on his first ten games, and this defeat?
