Eduardo Camavinga had an off night while Vinicius Junior sparkled again as Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw at home by CA Osasuna on Wednesday.
The opening half at the Santiago Bernabeu did not see a lot of chances being created by either team. However, Real Madrid could have taken the lead through Eduardo Camavinga, only for the Frenchman to miss the target while Eder Militao also came close with a long-distance lob that landed over. Vinicius Junior, meanwhile, also had an effort saved while at the other end, Jon Moncayola hit the woodwork.
The game opened up much more after the half-time break, with Real Madrid looking in firm control and creating a host of opportunities, but Osasuna kept their shape and held firm at the back. Karim Benzema struck the crossbar around the hour mark while Casemiro chanced an effort from range to try and catch the opposition goalkeeper off the line, only to see it land wide.
Substitute Marcelo unselfishly created a chance late on with a lobbed cross, but nobody got on the end of it as Osasuna successfully managed to hold Real Madrid to a draw and take a point away from the Bernabeu for the first time in over a decade in La Liga.
Despite the outcome, Real Madrid moved to the top of the La Liga standings, although that could be temporary, with third-placed Real Sociedad scheduled to play on Thursday. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Carlo Ancelotti’s men after a frustrating result on Wednesday.
Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Real Betis are now ALL tied on top of La Liga ?? pic.twitter.com/johjpV9khV
— 433 (@433) October 27, 2021
Thibaut Courtois: 6/10
A spectator for most of the game as Real Madrid controlled the proceedings for the most part, which meant Osasuna did not create a lot of goalscoring opportunities. The Belgian distributed well from the back.
Dani Carvajal: 5/10
Back into the starting XI after yet another injury layoff, the Spanish right-back showed signs of rust at times, with one such moment leading to Moncayola’s chance. Neat and tidy in possession but did not create much on the overlap on the right-hand side.
Eder Militao: 7/10
One of Real Madrid’s best players on the night, the Brazilian hardly put a foot wrong defensively, although he was not asked to do a great deal. He took it as an opportunity to push forward regularly and join up in attacks and almost scored a goal.
David Alaba: 6.5/10
Not at the same level as he was in the weekend win over Barcelona but steady enough at the back without being a standout while offering a positive outlet with the ball at his feet.
Ferland Mendy: 6.5/10
Solid in his defensive duties as usual and linked up well with Vinicius Junior on the left-side channel. However, the Frenchman did not provide the same level of attacking threat that Marcelo did after coming on.
Eduardo Camavinga: 5/10
?? Ancelotti asked Camavinga to be less aggressive after his yellow, but the midfielder didn't stop. That's why Carlo had to take him off at half-time. @marca pic.twitter.com/HbgUEt93mt
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) October 28, 2021
Coming in for Luka Modric into the starting XI, the Frenchman looked a tad bit scratchy on the night. Missed a great chance to score in the first half and picked up a booking. Did not look disciplined after that and, as a result, was hooked off at half-time.
Casemiro: 6/10
Did the basics right in the middle of the park, winning back possession, playing forward passes at a decent tempo without slowing things down. However, he could have done more in the attacking sense, considering that Osasuna did not offer much of a threat.
Toni Kroos: 7/10
The German international dictated the tempo of the game and made it look effortless as he kept playing forward passes regularly, looking to carve out openings for his teammates. He completed a total of 112 passes out of his 118 attempts and created two chances. Kroos even aimed for the goal from distance but could not find the back of the net.
Marco Asensio: 5.5/10
Starting ahead of Rodrygo on the right flank, the Spaniard had a rather quiet first half during which he was not involved a great deal. He moved into midfield after the half-time break and looked sharper, making line-breaking runs forward. However, Asensio could not make a greater impact and will see this game as another missed opportunity.
Karim Benzema: 6/10
This was not the Frenchman’s sharpest display of the season. Benzema started slowly but gradually grew into the contest, posing a threat as time wore on. He came close to scoring when he struck the woodwork at the hour mark.
Vinicius Junior: 7/10
71 – Viníciur Júnior ?? attempted 71 passes against Osasuna (64 completed), his highest total in a single game for @realmadriden in all competitions (131 games). Confidence. pic.twitter.com/yulu6kRGeJ
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 27, 2021
It was yet another positive performance from the 21-year-old, who looked to run at the opposition defence at every opportunity he got. Looked the likeliest to make things happen in attack, as he played in three key passes on the night. He just lacked quality support from his teammates on the night.
SUBSTITUTES
Rodrygo Goes: 6/10
The Brazilian came on for Camavinga at half-time and slotted in on the right flank with Asensio moving into midfield. He tried to make things happen, but not much came off for him.
Marcelo: 6.5/10
The veteran defender replaced Mendy in the 69th minute and provided a much better attacking outlet on the left. Created a late chance with a lobbed cross, but it was not converted.
Lucas Vazquez: 6/10
After replacing Carvajal for the final twenty minutes, the Spaniard provided good energy to run up and down the right flank. But he failed to create any meaningful opportunity to help Real Madrid get over the line.
Eden Hazard: 5/10
The Belgian wing-wizard came on for Asensio in the 70th minute. He hardly touched the ball despite Real Madrid being in control for large stretches in the second period.
