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.
