Real Madrid Beat Osasuna 2-0 to Close in on Barcelona in La Liga

Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio scored as Real Madrid struggled to beat Osasuna 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, simply three days earlier than they head to Liverpool within the Champions League.

Uruguay midfielder Valverde and Spain winger Asensio netted within the ultimate quarter of an hour in Pamplona to chop Barcelona’s benefit to 5 factors on the prime of the desk earlier than the Catalans host lowly Cadiz on Sunday.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was lacking from Real’s matchday squad as coach Carlo Ancelotti rested the France attacker forward of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Anfield.

“It was a hard-fought, shut match, properly performed by each groups, and we’re all of the extra glad to have gained,” said Ancelotti.

“The boys suffered when they had to and knew how to wait for the moment to score.”

On Saturday, Real dominated the early proceedings with centre-back Eder Militao going shut with a rushed volley from a free kick on six minutes after midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was fouled.

Less than 5 minutes later Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior noticed his effort dribble previous the put up regardless of nutmegging Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Los Blancos have been unable to interrupt the impasse earlier than the interval because the Basque hosts stepped up their aggression in defence and have been proven three yellow playing cards in 45 minutes.

The dwelling facet’s physicality precipitated Ancelotti to confront the officers as they left the sector on the interval because the Italian was sad with Osasuna’s particular consideration to Vinicius as whistles circled round El Sadar.

Less than 70 seconds after the interval, Real got here inside inches of opening the scoring as Vinicius’ compatriot Rodrygo skimmed the put up with a curling effort.

Five minutes later Vinicius thought he had claimed the primary purpose of the sport however the ahead was adjudged to be offside.

Osasuna stored a foothold within the match and hit the woodwork simply after the hour mark with a low-driven effort from Moi Gomez.

With 12 minutes to play Vinicius was the supplier as his low cut-back cross set-up Valverde to half-volley dwelling to open the scoring.

Asensio made certain of the three factors in harm time with an help from teenager Alvaro Rodriguez on his Real debut.

Third-placed Real Sociedad have been held 1-1 by 10-man Celta Vigo attributable to Robin Le Normand’s 93rd minute personal purpose.

On Sunday, Atletico Madrid in fourth can shut the hole on Sociedad to 2 factors with a win in opposition to Athletic Bilbao within the Spanish capital.

On Monday, former midfielder Ruben Baraja takes cost of Valencia for the primary time as they head to fellow strugglers Getafe.

Los Che haven’t gained a league recreation since early November, with six defeats of their previous seven matches — only one level gained from a attainable 21.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)