Football: Pressure on Mou as Real draw blank

MADRID: Jose Mourinho was under more pressure when misfiring Real Madrid were held to a 0-0 draw at relegation-threatened Osasuna, a result which left the champions 15 points behind leaders Barcelona. Madrid, devoid of any creativity, missed the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and their desperate state was highlighted when substitute Kaka was sent-off in the second half. Real Madrid are on 37 points in third place, four behind Atletico Madrid and they could trail Barcelona by 18 points on Sunday if the runaway leaders defeat fifth-place Malaga. “I liked my team’s attitude,” said Mourinho. “They played well and did a good job. It’s not easy to create here, we did enough to score but we didn’t make many chances.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2013.