Osasuna-Athletic Bilbao, more than a derby

 
Good morning, dear Osasunists!
Today is a red day on our football calendar. Although it isn't a Sunday, today is FOOTBALL DAY, with capital letters. Not only because there is a Clasico match before Osasuna's game, but also because the rival of Osasuna is the hatred Athletic de Bilbao.

Osasuna needs to get their fourth consecutive victory against Athletic in Pamplona. A match that both teams will face differently from the expected after the first round in La Liga. Athletic is only three points from the relegation posts; after playing two finals last season and shouting their supporters an overwhelming "Bielsa quedate" at Vicente Calderon at Copa del Rey Final last June, the supporters and some assistants of Athletic's chairman, Urrutia, want Bielsa to be fired after the bad results of the Basque team.

The reds from Pamplona, "los rojillos", have won all their matches that they played at El Sadar in 2013, after the beginning of the second round and their situation is the opposite from Athletic's. Osasuna have flown away from the relegation posts, which are now five points ahead. The Navarrians are still a strong team in the defence as Andres Fernandez, the goalkeeper, picked the ball 27 times, even less times than Victor Valdes in F.C. Barcelona or if we compare to the goal issue raised in Bilbao, because there is a debate with Iraizoz or Raul, the two goalkeepers in the Basque team. But on the other hand, the best forward, Kike Sola, has just scored seven goals though they have been very important for Osasuna.

There is an important supporting campaign to take the football fans to El Sadar, and for the first time this season the stadium will be complete and all together we'll shout "A por Ellos" or "Eman Gogor" ( Go for them ). There is a great expectation on the game in Pamplona and the supporters expect to win the eternal hatred rival from Bilbao.

Mendilibar, Osasuna's coach, is from Bilbao, but he has already achieved a victory against Athletic last season in Pamplona. He won't use players like Ruben, sanctioned, or Raoul Loe, injured. Miguel Flaño and Lolo will substitute them after resting against Levante last weekend, another important success in a game away the local stadium.

Meanwhile, Bielsa, Athletic's coach, is on the red line. They have lost their last three games against Espanyol, Malaga and their neighbours in Donosti-San Sebastian at San Mames stadium, Real Sociedad, and they are heading the relegation posts and need to win Osasuna to avoid those posts. Besides, Athletic's coach has got many problems with his players since the beginning of the season. After Javier Martinez's transfer to Bayern Munich and the announcement of next season sign with Juventus for Llorente, there are many doubts with Amorebieta or Iker Muniain, who has shown his lack of mature after his action last weekend at San Mames and his later speech.

Posible kickoff teams:
. Osasuna: Andres Fernandez; Marc Bertran, Arribas, Flaño, Damia; Lolo, Silva, Oier Sanjurjo, Armenteros, Nino; Kike Sola.
. Athletic: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Laporte, Aurtenetxe; Iturraspe, De Marcos, Herrera; Susaeta, Aduriz , Ibai Gómez.
Don't forget the referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes, with bad results for Osasuna matches!
Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!