Lowly Osasuna in Real shock
Source: Agencies |
February 1, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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REAL Madrid tried to remain upbeat following the shock 0-1 defeat at Osasuna on Sunday which seriously damaged its La Liga title hopes.
Real suffered only its second loss of the season 24 hours after leader Barcelona racked up its 15th consecutive win, slipping seven points behind its arch-rival.
"The result is tough but not definitive," Real director general Jorge Valdano told reporters.
"At the midway point of the season it isn't possible for the championship to be over for Real Madrid. It is well known our capacity to fight and to never give up in these types of situations."
Real had a tough Copa del Rey semifinal first leg at Sevilla last Wednesday which it won 1-0 and the return is this week but it has lacked a cutting edge in recent matches.
It struggled to control Osasuna and missed Xabi Alonso's influence in midfield as he was kept on the bench after a bout of flu, only appearing when it was chasing the game in the second half.
"The situation is much more difficult with regards to Barcelona, but come Wednesday we'll only be thinking of that game," coach Jose Mourinho said. "My players worked hard and I have no complaints. We lost to a rival who gave their all, who have had a week to prepare, and who pushed themselves to the very limit.
"I have to congratulate them. I'm not saying they deserved to win but they deserved a draw."
It was only Real's second defeat of the season after its 0-5 hammering at Barcelona in November.
"We have to think positive," top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo said. "It's difficult but we have to think positive."
Earlier, Gaizka Toquero scored both goals in Athletic Bilbao's 2-0 win at 10-man Atletico Madrid to increase the pressure on home coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
Bilbao's balding frontman, who wears the No. 2 shirt, bagged his first goals of the season, volleying in unmarked just before the break and sliding in to double the lead in the 64th minute.
Atletico had been playing with 10 men from the 39th minute, when Luis Perea was harshly sent off after a clumsy challenge on Fernando Llorente in the area. The Spain striker fired the spot kick wide. Sanchez Flores has been feeling the heat with his side out of Europe and the Copa del Rey.
Real suffered only its second loss of the season 24 hours after leader Barcelona racked up its 15th consecutive win, slipping seven points behind its arch-rival.
"The result is tough but not definitive," Real director general Jorge Valdano told reporters.
"At the midway point of the season it isn't possible for the championship to be over for Real Madrid. It is well known our capacity to fight and to never give up in these types of situations."
Real had a tough Copa del Rey semifinal first leg at Sevilla last Wednesday which it won 1-0 and the return is this week but it has lacked a cutting edge in recent matches.
It struggled to control Osasuna and missed Xabi Alonso's influence in midfield as he was kept on the bench after a bout of flu, only appearing when it was chasing the game in the second half.
"The situation is much more difficult with regards to Barcelona, but come Wednesday we'll only be thinking of that game," coach Jose Mourinho said. "My players worked hard and I have no complaints. We lost to a rival who gave their all, who have had a week to prepare, and who pushed themselves to the very limit.
"I have to congratulate them. I'm not saying they deserved to win but they deserved a draw."
It was only Real's second defeat of the season after its 0-5 hammering at Barcelona in November.
"We have to think positive," top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo said. "It's difficult but we have to think positive."
Earlier, Gaizka Toquero scored both goals in Athletic Bilbao's 2-0 win at 10-man Atletico Madrid to increase the pressure on home coach Quique Sanchez Flores.
Bilbao's balding frontman, who wears the No. 2 shirt, bagged his first goals of the season, volleying in unmarked just before the break and sliding in to double the lead in the 64th minute.
Atletico had been playing with 10 men from the 39th minute, when Luis Perea was harshly sent off after a clumsy challenge on Fernando Llorente in the area. The Spain striker fired the spot kick wide. Sanchez Flores has been feeling the heat with his side out of Europe and the Copa del Rey.
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