La Liga

Osasuna 0-0 Real Madrid Player Ratings: Benzema flops as Blancos stumble

Real Madrid dominated against Osasuna but were limp in attack and were unable to breakdown the resolute defence of their hosts.

 
10:57pm on Saturday 9th January 2021
By
Robin Bairner

Real Madrid missed the opportunity to go to the top of La Liga as they were held 0-0 against Osasuna in a snowy Pamplona.

It was very much a game in which defences were on top - or more specifically, the Osasuna one was. Madrid dominated possession but barely mustered an effort on goal.

As such, Atletico Madrid remain top of La Liga by a single point but with three games in hand. Indeed, Barcelona are now within striking distance of Zinedine Zidane's men.

Osasuna 0-0 Real Madrid: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats

But were there any sources of positivity for the capital side?

✔️ GOOD PERFORMANCE

Toni Kroos: 7.7

Once again, it was Germany international Toni Kroos who provided so much for Real Madrid in the centre of the park.

He completed well over 100 passes in the match, putting him head and shoulders above anyone else on the field, while over a third of these were completed in the final third of the park.

It was not for a want of effort that he failed to inspire his side to victory.

Ruben Garcia: 7.9

Osasuna winger Ruben Garcia has been in boom-or-bust form in recent weeks. More often than not, it has been bust.

However, the 27-year-old was busy for his side on the left of the park. He completed several dribbles, fashioned the game's only big chance was regularly delivered crosses into the Real Madrid box.

Given the pressure his side found themselves under, he was a priceless outlet.

BAD PERFORMANCE

Karim Benzema: 6.1

Zinedine Zidane has backed the forward to beat his well publicised off-field troubles and maintain a high level for Real Madrid. However, the former Lyon striker failed to repay his coach's confidence in this match.

He was anonymous in front of goal, failing to muster a single shot over the course of the 90 minutes, while he struggled to even touch the ball.

STAR MAN

Lucas Vazquez 8.1

Used in the right-back role, Vazquez was the outstanding player on show. He won back possession on nine occasions, came out on top of eight of the 14 duels he attempted and won four of the nine challenges he made.

It was going forward the he made his mark, however, with a game-high eight crosses and 25 passes into the final third of the pitch.

Frustratingly for him, it was not enough to get the win.

Osasuna 0-0 Real Madrid: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats

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