Real endure stalemate as Osasuna lose ground on Barca

Real Madrid and Osasuna saw their hopes of catching Spanish league leaders Barcelona suffer a blow when both had to make do with draws following rugged encounters.

Osasuna could only manage a 1-1 home draw with modest outfit Racing Santander to leave Barca four points clear of the chasing pack while Real, with 14 points to make up on the leaders at start of play, were only marginally happier with a goalless draw at high-riding Villarreal.

Further gloom descended on the Real camp after Brazilian striker Ronaldo limped off before half-time having just returned from an injury to his right leg suffered in his first training session following the winter break.

Real's other returnee, England central defender Jonathan Woodgate, made a longer-lasting comeback from a thigh injury suffered in November, but also picked up a late booking for a foul on Jose Mari.

Osasuna have been in rampant form at home all season but Santander stopped them in their tracks to leave Barca the major beneficiaries of the result to add to their own 2-1 derby success Saturday at Espanyol.

Frenchman Ludovic Delporte swept home a fine freekick to put Osasuna ahead on 29 minutes but seconds before the break Perez Antonito levelled for Santander, taking advantage of confusion in the home defence to score off a pass by Mora and bag his fifth of the season.

Second half pressure from Osasuna, who had won their previous home league encounters, failed to dislodge the visitors' stiff resistance and the point gained left the hosts on 39 points from 18 games to Barca's 43 as Santander edged into midtable.

Real have 30 from 18 and remain sixth after their draw at Villarreal, who are a point better off, after a tight, cautious meeting that benefited Barca more than anyone else.

Making his second comeback for Real following his 17-month layoff spanning his brief spell with Newcastle and then his August 2004 move to the Bernabeu, Woodgate was swiftly into his stride, feeding Ronaldo in the fifth minute only for the striker to be hauled up for offside.

Zinedine Zidane then slammed an effort just wide as Real set the early pace before Villarreal, inspired by Juan Riquelme, began to settle.

Real then had to give a premature debut to new Brazilian defender Cicinho, just arrived on a five-year deal from Sao Paulo, when Ronaldo, who appeared to be struggling with the vestiges of his injury, came off after just 33 minutes.

The 'meringues' were already without striker Antonio Cassano, just arrived from Roma but who must overcome a leg muscle tear.

A switch of tactics saw young striker Roberto Soldado come on for Brazilian talent Robinho, freeing Zidane to move out to the left channel while Julio Baptista dropped deeper from his initial role as spearhead.

In the late match, Valencia were looking to consolidate third place with a win at under-achieving Atletico Madrid, stuck in midtable.

In other Sunday action, Real Zaragoza gave their hopes of making a surge for a UEFA Cup slot a boost with a 2-0 win away to rock-bottom Alaves with Diego Milito and Ewerthon on target.

Cadiz moved out of the drop zone after a Nednad Mirosalvjevic first-half penalty saw off midtable Getafe and a Fabian Canobbio effort helped Celta Vigo overcome Real Sociedad 1-0.