体坛英语新闻：Real Madrid produce stale performacne to bottom of table Osasuna

MADRID, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's disappointing season continued with a desperately poor 0-0 draw away to bottom of the table Osasuna.

Although Real Madrid were without some key players, they never looked in control of the game and produced a flat display which only serves to highlight that they now have no chance of winning the BBVA Primera Liga and their only hope of silverware is in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Without the injured Pepe and with Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid looked flat in attack, despite Gonzalo Higuain starting his first game in attack after two months out with injury.

Higuain's return saw Karim Benzema step down to the subs' bench, while Angel de Maria was also back in the side, although overall Madrid looked very flat against a hard-working and motivated Osasuna.

Chances were few and far between in the first half and Osasuna could have taken the lead had Kike Sola been a bit sharper, while Alvaro Cejudo also looked dangerous, although overall, Osasuna's best chances came from set pieces as Madrid's central defensive partnership of Raul Albiol and Rafael Varene at times looks shaky on high balls.

The second half was little better with Real Madrid desperately missing the incisive attacking play that Ronaldo usually provides.

Jose Mourinho tried to rectify matters by bringing Luka Modric, Benzema and Kaka into the game, but Kaka spoiled his coach's plans when he saw two yellow cards in less than 15 minutes: the first was for a foul, while the second was for deliberately obstructing Osasuna as the home side looked to take a quick free kick.

That left Madrid to play the last 15 minutes with a player less, but they almost won the game almost directly afterwards when Javier Callejon had the ball in the Osasuna net, only for his effort to be ruled out for a tight, but correct offside decision.

The remainder of the match saw Osasuna press hard for a goal that would have lifted them off the bottom of the table, but their lack of quality in the final pass saw them fail to turn pressure into chances.

Meanwhile Callejon did at least force a save from home keeper Andres Fernandez in injury time, it was virtually all Fernandez had to do all night.