Race nod over yet after Ronnie heads winner
Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini breathed a sigh of relief after watching his side only just keep their chances of La Liga glory alive with a last-gasp win over Osasuna.

The Chilean boss had to rely on a late headed winner from Cristaino Ronaldo for a vital three points that keeps the Bernabeu giants in touch with Barcelona at the top of the league.

The Madrid giants had to come from behind twice to see off their mid-table opponents, and Pellegrini admitted he was a relieved man at the final whistle.

“Osasuna made us suffer a lot. It was the worst performance defensively this year although we did deserve to score three goals,” Pellegrini said after his side had cut the gap on Barcelona to just one point.

Real got off to the worst possible start after a poor back pass by Raul Albiol allowed Carlos Aranda to give Osasuna the lead. Ronaldo equalised with a strike from the edge of the area, but as Real continued to press Krisztian Vadocz smashed in Osasuna’s second.

Marcelo scored a rare header to equalise for Real again just before the break.

But the second half saw Osasuna miss several gilt-edged opportunities before Ronaldo once again popped up by heading home a Gonzalo Higuain cross. And after that crucial late intervention, Pellegrini hailed his match-winner.

“He’s a player who makes the difference and we are fortunate he’s with us,” the Chilean said.

“But I also think the team is very strong. This is vital in the final stage of the season.

“The calendar is equally bad for both teams now [Real and Barcelona] and I think everything will be decided in the final week,” he added. “My players are in good spirits, that is important for our last three games and so all we can do is push Barcelona to the end.” And Ronaldo was also delighted his side had pulled off a last-gasp win.

“'If you lose points at this moment you lose the title,” the in-form Portuguese flyer said. “Thank God we managed to score the third goal and win the game.

“We need to continue winning. Barcelona have a great team but the great teams also lose.”