Sunday was an all action day in the La Liga with a lot riding on both the Villareal and Real Madrid games. Winning at struggling Osasuna would ensure that Real win the Championship irrespective of the Villareal match result.
Earlier in the day, Villareal beat Getafe 2-0, and Barcelona drubbed struggling Valencia 6-0 at the Nou Camp, Real could still get out of Osasuna with a point and needing one more in the remaining 3 games. Osasuna were struggling relegation but as Real would seen find out, it was a pulsating match in a tough environment, the Reyno De Navarra stadium was full to capacity with a vociferous crowd. The voices of 300 travelling Real Madrid fans no where to be heard. Schuster made some tactical changes, welcomed back Cannavaro to partner Pepe, Ramos and Heinze on the wings. Diarra earned a spot in midfield for the suspended Guti, Gago continued in the holding role, Robben on the wing , Sneijder in the providing role, and it was Raul and Saviola in attack. Saviola had a terrific game the week before.
One team playing to escape relegation and the other team out to close down on the Championship, it was back to back action. Neither team was sitting back. For Osasuna it was to be former Real Madrid striker Javier Portillo and Flano on the wing who were the main threat. Real made the first threat at goal when Robben crossed in for Saviola, who was swamped by defenders and the goal keeper with a hint of hand ball as well. Casillas who is not known to come out for crosses was i believe playing a different game plan and attacking all the crosses from both wings. He did get to almost all of them except on two occasions. On both occasions that he missed there was no good follow up from Osasuna other than some scuffed shots. Diarra made a powerful shot from distance, on target but too close to the keeper to punch it to safety.
I was re heating my coffee at half time, but seconds from kick off was all Cannavaro needed to get his second yellow card of the game. The first tackle, which was a mistimed sliding tackle was indeed worthy of a yellow card, i am not so sure about the second one. But out came the red card and Real were left with 10 men playing almost the entire second half. Schuster played Diarra in the center for a while, but knowing the threat of this, soon replaced Saviola with Torres. The youngster slipped in to the RB role, and the versatile Ramos moved into the center with Pepe. There was no shortage of cards in the game, the referee pulled out the yellow card 10 times and the red card once. They were a man down, but Real were trying to hold on to the ball and build attacks slowly. Sneijder, right outside the penalty box on the left tried a shot with two defenders on him, it turned out to be one superb lob, with keeper Ricardo totally out of position it hit the bar, came and hit the keeper with Raul rushing in. Soon a free kick from distance was cleared well, Sneijder was playing with a lot of passion.
Schuster realizing that Raul was spending more time defending and that the goal was really needed brought in Higuain for Raul. Osasuna soon brought in Pandiani on for Portillo. On 85 minutes a goal from Osasuna meant that Real will have to wait for another week for their Championship hopes. This could actually mean that Real could make scenes for a better celebration when they welcome Barca on Wednesday. The drama of the last 5 minutes was stunning. First from an Osasuna corner Heinze was adjudged to have hand balled when he jumped in the air to head the ball and a penalty was awarded. Considering the fact that he was under tremendous pressure, it was maybe a little tough a call. Landing from that incident left Cruchaga stamping on Heinze's hand and the Argentine was left bleeding. Punal scored from the spot making it 1-0 to Osasuna.
Sneijder was replaced by Baptista on the 86th minute, emotions were pouring over and the Dutchman sat out in the rain with a jacket over his head motionless for minutes. The next 4 minutes proved that though Real have changed their style of play under Schuster they sure have the Capello discipline and playing as a unit still in them. Higuain's free kick from the left side, found Robben unmarked and the Dutchman scored with a stunning header. Osasuna players were busy marking the likes of Baptista and Diarra and both of them were down on the floor when Robben was jumping unmarked. 1-1 at 87 minutes, meant Real would still have to wait but it would be just one point needed as an insurance.
It was superb move that was to create the anti climax of the night, minute 89 it was Diarra who surged forward, bumped chest in to Cruchaga, Ramos ( who was playing center back) at the edge of the box turned and passed to a wide open Higuain on the right, he took one touch and blasted a shot past Ricardo. I don't think the keeper even saw the ball. The Madrid bench, fans section everyone went into so much excitement, there was hushed silence in the stadium. Real weathered the storm for the remaining few minutes, and the celebrations took off.
Real wasted no time in celebrating with the 300 odd fans in the Osasuna stadium, and inside the dressing room, but soon the boarded the Real Madrid jet where the celebrations continued and they reached Madrid airport where almost 20,000 fans were waiting. An open bus to lead the players out to the Cibeles fountain where 200,000 fans were waiting to greet the Champions and Raul crowning Cibeles with a Real Madrid scarf and flag. It was the Captain's 6 th La Liga in his 14 th year at the club. Everyone around the world have been talking about how Barcelona have been struggling, on and off the news with their key players, how Valencia have had their fair share of problems, i say forget all this and let us congratulate Real for how well they have played. They play well as a unit, but not defending from the front, Schuster have brought back the Madrid style to their play, scored more goals, Casillas the keeper fighting for the lowest goals conceded and became the first team in over a decade to win the La Liga with 3 games or more left. More importantly on Wednesday Barca' visit to the Bernabeu does not just become more of a formality, but Barca would have to give a Guard of Honor to the Champions.
This is an interesting video listen to the commentary when the second goal goes in:
Hala Madrid!!!! Campeones 31!!!!
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