Jose Mourinho started his La Liga adventure with a win at home against Osasuna as Barcelona lost by 0-2 at home to newly promoted Hercules. iSporter Karan Shah analyses Los Blancos' first home match of this season.
Mourinho started with a surprisingly offensive line-up with Ronaldo, Higuain and Benzema all in the starting XI. Ozil and Khedira also made their home debuts as the two of them along with Xabi Alonso anchored the midfield. Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho and Marcelo comprised of the back line with San Iker in goal. Osasuna, meanwhile, started with a lone striker upfront and it was quite clear that their tactics were to sit and defend and attack on the counter.
The fans in the Bernabeu had something to cheer about in just under 30 seconds as the scoreboard flashed Barcelona's score line who played earlier in the day. Madrid, themselves were looking rusty today following the fifteen day international break. The first chance of the game fell to Gonzalo Higuain near the 20 minute mark and his volley just missing the far post. Madrid were looking quite lost in the middle of the pitch as it was clear that this team still needs to be moulded into a cohesive unit. Osasuna were looking happy to defend in numbers as the first half ended in a rather boring 0 - 0.
Osasuna looked like they wanted to capitalize on Madrid's inability to find the net but paid heavily for it as Carvalho found the back of the net after Ronaldo's effort was blocked. Higuain had three to four amazing chances thereafter but the striker was nowhere close to the form he was in, last season and failed to score absolute sitters. Benzema looked quite sharp on the contrary and was disappointingly subbed on the seventy minute mark for Pedro Leon. Madrid's failure to combine was quite evident as they ended winning with a slender margin.
The crowds boos were quite loud in the Bernabeu and if Jose Mourinho's team doesn't find the goal scoring form, the pressure will be immense. Nevertheless, Madrid overtake Barcelona in the table and now have their Champions League midweek clash to make amends.
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