Osasuna's goalkeeper Andres Fernandez (2nd R) punches the ball in front of his fellow teammate Manuel Ortiz and Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso (2nd L) during their Spanish League match in Pamplona, northern Spain, Saturday. — AP MADRID — Jose Mourinho was under more pressure Saturday when his misfiring Real Madrid side was held to a 0-0 draw at rock-bottom Osasuna, a result which left the champion 15 points behind leader Barcelona. Madrid, devoid of any creativity, missed the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored five of his side's eight goals in the last two games, and its desperate state was highlighted when substitute Kaka was sent-off in the second half. Real Madrid is on 37 points in third place, four behind Atletico Madrid and it could trail Barcelona by 18 points Sunday if the runaway leaders defeat fifth-place Malaga. Ronaldo missed his first game after 60 consecutive league appearances with a one-match suspension, while Sergio Ramos was also absent at the start of a five-game ban. Mourinho was able to welcome back Gonzalo Higuain and Fabio Coentrao after injuries and preferred Raul Albiol to start only his third league game of the season over Ricardo Carvalho in the center of defense. Osasuna defender Marc Beltran was alert to clear from almost on the goal-line after Higuain had rounded the goalkeeper and centered for Sami Khedira. Angel Di Maria then shot over for Madrid, while Alvaro Cejudo went close at the other end. Jose Callejon almost surprised Andres Fernandez in the Osasuna goal with a header that went just over on 35 minutes and Cejudo turned cleverly before blasting over. Within a minute of the second-half, Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas was called into his first meaningful action to block a drive from Kike Sola. Mourinho changed things around just before the hour mark, replacing Higuain with Karim Benzema and introducing Kaka for a subdued Di Maria. However, it was the side at the bottom which looked the more likely to break the deadlock when Lolo headed over from a corner and then Casillas saved a long shot from Emiliano Armenteros. German winger Patrick Ebert scored twice and set up the third for Oscar to help Valladolid beat Mallorca 3-1. Sergio Garcia hit a first-half goal to give Espanyol a crucial 1-0 win over Celta Vigo and move the Barcelona side out of the relegation zone for the first time this season. Ruben Castro scored one goal and set up another to lead Real Betis to a 2-0 home win over Levante as the Seville-based side provisionally rose into fourth place in the Spanish league Sunday. — Agencies
