La Liga was back this Saturday afternoon. Real Madrid moved to the El Sadar stadium to face Osasuna on the 24th day. The Merengues, championship leaders, sought to consolidate their position after a series of mixed performances, including a defeat against Espanyol and a draw against Atlético de Madrid. Only a few days after the stunning victory against Manchester City during the Champions League play -offs against City, Carlo Ancelotti decided to align his offensive duo Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Rodrygo was left to rest allowing Brahim Díaz to start when we found Camavonga in the middle and Tchouameni in defense.
Current series
N
D
V
N
N
V
N
V
D
V
The match started very hard for Real Madrid with a Vinicius JR in legs. The Brazilian illustrated with a first breakthrough on his left corridor. He croche in the surface, the ball hit the defender's hand on the tackle. But not enough to whistle penalty for the referee when Vinicius Jr had stopped playing in action to complain about the hand (2nd). A disputed action which installed a tense climate between the 22 actors and the referee. However, that did not prevent Real Madrid from opening the scoring thanks to Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman was at the reception of a tense center in Valverde (1-0, 15th). We then thought that Real Madrid was going to unroll. But a strange nervousness emerged from this team while Vinicius protested for another penalty that he could have obtained.
Bellingham expelled for protest
Carlo Ancelotti was notified shortly before half an hour of play to challenge arbitral decisions. Proof of a deep annoyance of the Madrid coach in the face of the decisions of the referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero who was rather lenient with a team of Osasuna who multiplied the faults. And the turn of the match happened just before half-time. On an intervention he judged correct, Jude Bellingham was sanctioned with a fault by the referee. A decision he did not digest since on the next game stop, he was going to address the referee. Without hesitation, Mr. Montero directly drew a red card that left Bellingham Bouche Bée (40th). The Englishman left his own in misunderstanding while the Madrid did not take off.
Upon returning from the locker room, in numerical inferiority, Real Madrid held its advantage and could count on a courteous still excellent on its line. But then again, an arbitration decision was going to change everything. Camavong was sanctioned for late intervention on an opposing shot. The Var intervened to whistle penalty that Budimir quietly transformed (1-1, 59th). Neutralized, Real Madrid still tried to resume the advantage and dominated, even at 10, a team of osasuna not inspired. Vinicius Jr, excellent on the left, was trying everything for the whole while Mbappé was as dangerous. But the score will no longer move. With this draw, Real Madrid remains at the top of the Liga but can lose its place after this 24th day. The Madrid club has not won for 3 days in La Liga, a first since November 2020.
