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2021-22 LaLiga
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Reuters 2y

Real Madrid wasteful in goalless draw away to Osasuna

Real Madrid capped a day of topsy-turvy results when they were held to a goalless draw by Osasuna in LaLiga on Wednesday.

Three days after eclipsing rivals Barcelona in the season's first Clasico, Real failed to reproduce the fireworks against high-flying Osasuna.

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"We played well. We lacked finishing. The team gave everything, we played against a team that sat back. We lacked finishing, but for me the team played well," Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said.

The team from Pamplona keep on defying the odds and are now sixth in LaLiga, only two points behind Real, Sevilla, Real Betis and Real Sociedad, the four clubs tied on 21 points. Osasuna also sit four points above Barcelona, who slumped to their second successive league defeat on Wednesday following a 1-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano.

Real were repeatedly frustrated by Osasuna, who played with 11 men behind the ball as they focused all their energy on blocking their opponents from scoring and their gamble paid off as they left the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with a valuable point.

Despite dominating the game with 76% of ball possession, Real failed to break the deadlock.

Ancelotti added: "It's difficult to create chances with so many players in the box. We didn't have many opportunities to break from deep. The few times we did it, we did it well. It can happen. The important thing is we continue with the good dynamic we have and think about the next game.

"Call me crazy, but I liked the performance... the first half a bit less, but the second half I liked a lot. I don't have anything to criticise of my players, they gave everything."

Osasuna, who have only lost twice in 11 league games this season, are now unbeaten in their last five LaLiga matches.

The result coincided with the news of Barcelona's firing of Ronald Koeman. When asked about the ouster of the Dutch boss, Ancelotti said: "I've been sacked many times and I'm still here alive, happy. It's part of your job to be sacked and you have to give everything as long as you're coach.

"The day after they sack you, you can move forward with your consciense clear, that you gave everthing. I think Koeman is giving everything he can."

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