Liveblog: Osasuna v Real Madrid

By: Steve | May 4th, 2008

Hala Madrid! Hi folks, apologies for the lack of posts of late… I guess Corey must be uber-busy if he hasn’t posted in a week! Thanks to the faithful who have kept up some of the discussion in the comments.

Alright, i will try my darndest to liveblog what may be the title-clinching match for Real Madrid against Osasuna. It’s on Sky Sports Xtra at ~~6pm~~ 8pm GMT here in the UK, though the Barcelona-Valencia match is also on at the same time, so you might need to tune in via the red button.

I don’t really have any insight into tonight’s match other than to say that, with Osasuna only 2 points above relegation, they’ll be fighting hard to stay alive, and then even more so not to be the ones Madrid clinches the title against. Of course, if Villarreal loses earlier in the day, the tension might already be gone.

Ruud van Nistelrooy should be back and Cannavaro is back after suspension, but Guti and Metzelder remain unavailable due to injury. With almost a full squad at his disposal, i think Schuster will pick his first XI as it was earlier in the season: Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Diarra, Gago, Sneijder, Robinho, Raul and Ruud. If he decides not to play it so safe, I could imagine taking off either Diarra or Gago for Robben, but I think it’s more likely he’ll stay defensive since we’re away from home.

Come back in 5 hours or so for the liveblog! UPDATE: Sorry, the Sky Sports website listed the times incorrectly… it’s actually at 8pm here, so now i’m not sure if i can liveblog the whole match. Bollocks!

1min: And we’re off!
1min: Villarreal won their match, so it’s up to us… we need to win this match to clinch the title.
3min: Interesting lineup from Schuster… The back four is as expected, with Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro and Heinze, but up front, it’s Raul and Saviola… in the midfield, it’s Diarra, Gago, Sneijder and Robben.
5min: in the early going, Real’s gotten some good runs down the left, but Osasuna has countered down the right, attacking at Heinze…
6min: I do have to say, though, that Real at least looks like they’re defending somewhat competently on set-pieces, having already conceded a free kick and a corner…
9min: Ex-Madrid youth teamer Portillo is looking pretty dangerous so far, getting into good position and managing to get his head on the ball, if a bit inaccurately…
12min: Real is pushing the ball up pretty quick in the early going, either through quick runs or long passes that are stretching the Osasuna defense, which is playing pretty far up the pitch. That leaves them ripe for breaking the offside trap, if Saviola or Raul can get in behind them…
12min: Ugh, a yellow card for Cannavaro on a late tackle on Portillo.
13min: This sets up a free kick just outside the penalty area, maybe 21 or 22 yards out.
14min: and the free kick hits the wall…
15min: Osasuna really are focusing on Heinze, who so far has come up with the goods.
16min: Azpilicueta gets booked for diving, after trying to round Heinze’s tackle.
17min: A little stoppage in play… something behind Casillas’ goal is bothering him… maybe the fans there are throwing stuff?
19min: Madrid’s playing a pressure defense, almost daring Osasuna to spring them with quick passes… so far, they’ve only shown the long outlet pass on the right…
20min: Saviola’s not doing very well on the ball… he’s lost possession twice in the last minute, with the ball at his feet and trying to dribble through the defense.
21min: Great tackle by Gago, who regains possession. Real push quickly up the pitch, but Saviola’s cross finds a defender’s head.
24min: Real aren’t finding the space to attack when they start deep in their own end with possession. Osasuna is doing well to mark the typical destinations for a pass, like Robben or Sneijder…
25min: Ooh, Diarra blasts one that Ricardo needs to deflect over the bar…
26min: And back Osasuna come… Vila manages to get around either Ramos or Pepe, but lets off a bad shot that Casillas saves, with Portillo all alone in front of the goal wondering why the ball wasn’t given to him…
28min: The tempo is picking up now, with a couple more shots by both teams… few good chances though.
29min: Diarra intercepts the ball and starts a counter through Ramos… Diarra has really picked up his form in the past couple months. I’ve been considerably impressed.
32min: Gago has really come on like gangbusters too, showing some deft touch and good distribution. Diarra is surprisingly playing the more offensive role of the two defensive midfielders though.
35min: Osasuna, while getting good possession in the Real half, are making Los Merengues look like defensive wizards, with loads of deflected passes and good tackles.
37min: Nice turn by Saviola, dribbling out of danger on the left, and crossing for Sneijder, whose header is on target but without a lot of power and right at the keeper.
38min: Cruchaga and Heinze both pick up a yellow card for a penalty area skirmish.
39min: Real does well to keep possession while trying to set up in the Osasuna half… Ramos carries the ball into the centre and lofts a pass towards Raul that gets knocked out for a corner.
41min: Ooh, Real catch a break after Plasil gets called for an offsides that actually looked onside… lucky cuz the second-last defender was way on the other side of the pitch.
45min: Osasuna is putting on the pressure in these dying minutes of the first half… they can’t seem to break into the box though, with their best chance thus far coming on a free kick that Diarra heads away from danger…
45+1min: One minute of extra time in the first half.
HALFTIME: Well, it’s not looking very good for Real out there. The midfield linkup to the forwards isn’t happening.
HALFTIME: The back four look decent, though Heinze may yet get himself thrown out of the match with another yellow card (he’s cuffing Vila on every single possession), and Diarra and Gago have been great.
HALFTIME: Robben and Sneijder haven’t really been giving Saviola and Raul any service, with Raul’s virtual absence from any impact on the match so far as evidence.
HALFTIME: Alright, sorry folks, but as I mentioned earlier, the later start time means I actually have to bail now… Muchos apologies, I’ve got a friend visiting from France who I must entertain. Keep commenting though, and hopefully when I get back, Los Merengues will also be Los Campeones!