Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna: 5 talking points as Los Blancos secure hard-fought victory | La Liga 2020-21 

#3 Inspired substitutions from Zinedine Zidane

The Real Madrid substitutions made an impact

Real Madrid looked lost and pedestrian for the opening 20 minutes of the second half and the game was crying out for fresh introductions from the bench.

Zinedine Zidane duly obliged, and his substitutions proved to be a masterstroke which played a key role in deciding the outcome of the game.

Rodrygo brought an instant injection of pace into the attack, while Isco's creativity through the middle helped penetrate the Osasuna defense.

The Spain international provided the pristine delivery from which Militao put Real Madrid ahead, while Rodrygo also went close soon after his introduction.

The two men combined brilliantly in the dying stages of the game but Isco inexplicably shot wide after setting himself up brilliantly.

👔 Zidane: "It feels great. It was a hard-fought victory. We had many chances to score in the first half. When you go 45' with so many chances and without scoring it's easy to get frustrated or stressed. But we were patient and kept on playing. And the goal came in the end." pic.twitter.com/HCVJBMm9cG

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 1, 2021

While Zinedine Zidane's tactical nous might not be as widely recognized as it should be, he once again highlighted his pedigree to help Real Madrid to a crucial victory.

#2 Eder Militao continues his impressive display for Real Madrid

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Sergio Ramos' injury robbed Real Madrid off leadership and steel in defense but Eder Militao has stepped up impressively in his absence.

The 23-year-old has not exactly had the best of times since his arrival in the Spanish capital but Ramos' injury has afforded him increased playing time at the heart of defense.

The Brazil international made his ninth consecutive start for Real Madrid and put in a real shift at both ends of the field.

💬 @edermilitao: "In the first part I had two chances. In the second half we kept on fighting and I managed to score it."#RealMadridOsasuna | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/n0Uj041oF3

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 1, 2021

His defensive contributions helped Real Madrid keep a clean sheet, while he also stepped up at the other end to score the decisive opening goal.

With Sergio Ramos' future at the Bernabeu currently in doubt, Eder Militao is showing that he could be a long-term option at the heart of defense.

#1 What is the severity of Raphael Varane's injury?

Raphael Varane suffered an injury in the game

Raphael Varane started the game with Eder Militao but failed to return to the field for the second half, with Nacho taking his place.

News filtered out that the France international had suffered an injury in the first half, which saw him substituted.

This is far from ideal for Los Blancos, as they are currently suffering from an injury crisis in defense, with Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy all sidelined.

The severity of Varane's injury is unknown but with the game against Chelsea coming up in three days, fans of Real Madrid will be hoping that the World Cup winner can return to full fitness in time.