Real Madrid: 3 takeaways from a dull draw with Osasuna

Real Madrid dropped more valuable points in the table by drawing Osasuna 0-0 in Pamplona.

The snow played a role in the draw, no doubt, and I still firmly believe this game should have been postponed. But the weather is never used as an excuse when Real Madrid is concerned; the standards are simply too high for excuses. They did not take their “A” game to Pamplona, as they lacked intensity and were honestly lucky in the sense that the opposition had the better (onside) chances.

Real Madrid’s 0-0 draw means they have dropped more points in a La Liga title race that favors rivals Atletico Madrid, despite the fact that Real beat Atleti 2-0 in their most recent meeting. Such is life when you cannot break down a low block.

Here are three takeaways from the goalless draw, which may have been one of the ugliest matches of the 2020-2021 La Liga season thus far from a neutral perspective.

Real Madrid need to figure things out against lesser teams

It’s almost hard to believe, but Real Madrid seem to struggle more against weaker sides than against top competition. Look no further than the Champions League group stages for a slice of what I’m talking about. Real dominated Borussia Monchengladbach once and beat Inter Milan twice, yet they gave up a combined five goals against Shakhtar Donetsk. Not only were Shakhtar the only team to beat Los Blancos, but they did so twice!

Real Madrid have struggled in La Liga against the likes of Cadiz, Deportivo Alaves, Valencia, Elche, and now Osasuna. Whereas they beat the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla.

Los Blancos suffered from the snow in Pamplona, as the pitch conditions forced them to play more cautiously. We could definitely see the caution in Eden Hazard, who played well but could not take on defenders as readily.

The conditions don’t excuse the unintelligent positioning, inaccurate passes, and lack of intensity in the first half. Real Madrid were up against it due to the travel in such conditions and the pitch’s sludge itself, but they hurt themselves with the way they played.

We have said this each and every month. Real Madrid need to figure out how to put away teams lower in the table, because they will not win the league if they keep dropping easy points. Atletico Madrid are taking care of business against these types of clubs, including beating Osasuna 3-1 in Pamplona themselves. So what is Real’s excuse?