Real Madrid took the three points from El Sadar in another game in which Vinícius was everywhere. He scored a brace with a sensational second goal and was able to score a few more as he was once again the most off-balance player. At the same time, at some points the Brazilian was again on the verge of expulsion with his protests to the referee, a Martínez Munuera who, when he was caught by one of his insolences, removed the yellow card.
The Sadar booed Vinícius at all times, who responded in the stands with contemptuous and ironic gestures, asking them to continue whistling and laughing at him.
Pamplona is never a good dish for the whites because of the intensity of the fans, but yesterday Madrid only suffered in the first half. The game had a nervous air in the first 45 minutes, a back-and-forth in which, although Madrid had more control, at almost no time could they play to their liking. In the second half, Osasuna lacked air and it was a pleasant walk for the leader.
For Ancelotti’s team, it was the last match without Bellingham, who was serving his second match suspension for the red Mestalla. With Joselu out of the call-up at the last moment due to gastroenteritis, the only novelty in the eleven was the presence of Tchouaméni as a center back accompanying Rüdiger, a decision that sent Nacho to the bench.
If the coaches had a plan, it blew up immediately because in ten minutes there were two goals in mistakes that are not usually made.
Shortly after the initial whistle, in the third minute, Vinícius stole the ball from Catena, who acted like a schoolboy. The Brazilian faced Sergio Herrera and deftly beat him with a cross.
Instead of consolidating their play after the goal, Madrid immediately let themselves level with a corner that Moncayola took and saved with his eye, which was strange because the whites had not scored a goal from a set piece in everything we carry in season. This time Herrando extended the ball and Budimir only had to push it to the second post because it didn’t have a mark on it.
The 1-1 lit up the Sadar, but Osasuna didn’t know how to take advantage of it. The Navarrese went up and left a lot of space. Vinícius hunted them down in a counterattack after a great pass from Rüdiger and, with everything in his favour, made a mistake in front of Sergio Herrera, who covered his shot very well.
In one of these back-and-forths, Madrid took the lead again, in the seventeenth minute, in a move initiated by Brahim, Valverde was able to pass backwards and Carvajal appeared to take a shot off his sleeve with the ‘exterior against which the Navarre defense could not do anything, surprised by the detail of quality from Leganés.
With half an hour remaining, the game became a little calmer as Madrid began to have a little more control and Osasuna did not find many ways to do damage except for a venomous finish from Arnaiz, a well answer by Lunin.
The bad part for Madrid was that Vinícius started to take center stage with his worst face. He called for a penalty for an action by Herrando and that seemed to have completely upset him and he started gesticulating and protesting everything. After a clear foul by Tchouaméni, he continued with his protests in the center of the field, and Martínez Munuera removed the yellow card from him in the 41st. The card is the fifth, completes the cycle and he will not be able to play on the 31st against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu. He will only return against City.
Another story was written in the second part. Madrid dominated from the start and Osasuna’s push faded away. Madrid besieged the opposing area very early on. He began to chew on the game and El Sadar fell silent. It seemed impossible that the goal would not come soon and two came in quick succession. In the 61st, the 1-3 came in a Brahim ride and the 1-4 was the best of the match. Vinícius entered the area for speed and defined with a soft touch. The ball slowly came in. Vinicius celebrated with his hand to his ear and laughing amid a monumental whistle.
After that there was very little, except for massive changes in both teams. Osasuna scored in added time and Arda Güler almost scored from the center of the field with a shot that went off the crossbar.
