Osasuna-Real Madrid, a decafinated derby

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!
This afternoon-evening we are going to watch one of the most expected matches of the season for Osasuna supporters: the visit of Real Madrid. ( I'm going to break my word of the year: not to say the name of the white team from the capital city of Spain- it would be a very difficult article to write! )
Anyway, the confrontation is a bit decafinated, as I said in the heading for many reasons. First, the traditional gap in quality which is huger year after year! That gap used to be confronted in Osasuna with the illusion and support from the people in the stadium, but lately the supporters and the team are divided in Osasuna by the coach, Camacho, and the chairman, Izco ( both are well-known Real Madrid supporters, by the way ).
Real Madrid used to arrive in Pamplona with the feeling of anxiety and nervousness even when they were at the top of the League, and were, like now, full of football stars. But there are comments, even from the white team, that they go to a friend stadium and they do not feel uncomfortable in Pamplona!
On the other hand, I have the feeling that there is much more interests in the benches than in the field itself. Camacho and Mourinho have eclipsed the interest in both teams and both supporters may have problems to say the kickoff players, overall in Osasuna side, as some of the traditional players have left or are injured. Juanfran's leaving has not been replaced successfully by the new players and his effort and courage either by other "captains" like Puñal or Camuñas.
Finally, I am interested in watching the match, but I have the feeling that I will be depicted by Osasuna players as I have been lately in Almeria, for instance, that even the result may seem to be a disputed match, do not forget that Osasuna lost 2-0 by minute 20 in the first half. It is very difficult to win a game with a bad result like that, and if Osasuna players are not tense and connected from the kickoff moment, it will be imposible to confront the quality of players in Real Madrid!
Gora Osasuna!Aupa Rojillos!

Osasuna-Zaragoza...and Merry Christmas!!!

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Today we have the last game of the year 2010 and the last game of the first round of the League.
Luckily or unfortunately, this last game is against a well-known team and the confrontation is usually called "a derby". Today Real Zaragoza is visiting the Reyno de Navarra stadium.
Last year I talked about my links with Zaragoza city and my relatives there!So the word derby is very accurate for most of the citizens in both cities, but the problem is that "globalization" in the teams has devalued this confrontation as there are many "foreigners" in both teams.
The fraternal fight between Osasuna and Zaragoza has always been a good reason to visit the rival's stadium and have a good day out, a short daytrip that unfortunately some years ago they were marked by insults and fights in the streets or stadiums which made some supporters think twice wheter travel or not.
This year the derby is conditioned to both team placement in the League. Osasuna is a strong team in the Reyno, but until last weekend team it was one of the worst teams playing away their stadiums. Camacho's team is still the only????? team which have not won away, and I have been very critical to Osasuna's coach, but I must be sincere and say that when I watch the second half against Valencia F.C., I felt very proud of being an Osasuna fan/supporter and and I appreciate Camacho's job in Osasuna's players'confidence to do their best in any team.
Zaragoza is the opposite situation. They've changed coach, and now there's another well-known and friend person: Javier Aguirre. The Mexican coach is a constant fighter in any of the teams he's been working for and he's a very good motivating coach. Another "for" characteristic of Aguirre is, of course, that he trained Osasuna and Osasuna achieved their best, as we were classified for the Champions League for the first time in history! But now everything is different and the situation in the club of the city of El Pilar ( nobody wants to insult her ) is not as heavenly desired!And Zaragoza supporters are unhappy with their players and even still their new coach!!!Let's what happens this afternoon!
Finally, I want to write some lines to desirre all the best for all of you my unknown but loved readers. This is my last article of football of the year and I wish all you MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!
GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!

Depor-Osasuna, the second leg tie of 1/16 Copa del Rey

Good evening, dear Osasunists! We are here in another week game! How long will it last this "stressful" situation for Camacho's players? It might be the last game in the week, as Osasuna is playing against Deportivo in La Coruña, at their Riazor stadium.

When Lotina's team visited Pamplona for the first leg last 28th October, they were in a very delicated position in the Spanish League and our beloved ex-Osasuna coach was about to be fired out. After the confrontation at Reyno de Navarra stadium they got a worthy draw (1-1) for Copa del Rey.

Osasuna and Depor have played some other games in La Liga and Depor is only two points below Osasuna ( 12 against 14), and the Navarrians won a game more than the Galicians ( 3 won games against 2 ).

But tonight we are talking about another competition: the K.O. Championship, Copa del Rey. Deportivo de La Coruña is in a better situation than Osasuna, though Camacho has said that the leg is balanced and 50% for each side. Osasuna is obligated to score or to win the match to get the next leg.

Taking into account the above comments and facts, the match is obviously very attractive, not only for both team supporters, but, I think, it is also interesting for any football supporter, as I believe it will be a very disputated confrontation. And what are the TV channels doing?

I don't understand that there are so many TV channels now in the TDT, the ppv system ( Canal+, ONO, GOL TV, etc ), regional and local TV channels,... and no one TV channel is going to broadcast this match on live. They still broadcast and programme matches with so little expectations like Real Madrid or Barça legs.

Posible kickoff teams
Deportivo de La Coruña: Manu; Seoane or Manuel Pablo, Colotto, Rochela, Zé Castro, Morel; Juca, Juan Domínguez; Pablo Álvarez, Desmarets; Lassad.

Osasuna: Riesgo; Nelson, Sergio, Josetxo, Monreal; Juanfran, Lolo, Nekounam, Calleja; Vadocz and Lekic.

Referee: Fernández Borbalán (Andalusian) Stadium: Riazor. Time: 21h.

TV: NONE.
GORA OSASUNA!AUPA OSASUNISTS!

Depor-Osasuna, two coaches in danger of extinction

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Today we are confroting a difficult team in a uncomfortable situation and with one of those coaches who nobody can talk bad.
Lotina is the coach of R.C.D.Coruña since he left Osasuna and he has lived some good situations like the UEFA positions, and they were one of the most unexpected teams in the last season.
But these days the results are not in favour of his team and he got some criticism from Depor supporters, the Riazor Blues, but for the time being it seems they still trust on their coach and popped in the last training this week to cheer up the players and show their support.
A different situation for Camacho and his players. Our criticism is huge and it covers the coach, the chairman, the main executives and in the end the players.
This afternoon Osasuna plays against Deport in La Coruña. It is usually a good stadium to play and the field is in good condition too. So our players can't complain and this is a perfect time to get the first away victory this season.
Who can bet for our team? Now that it has been signed a new sponsor- Mister Apuestas-is a good moment for betting ( perhaps Osasuna supporters get a voucher or a discount in each bet ) and if I had to do it for this afternoon, I would bet for Lotina's men. I'm sure they are more and even better motivated ( they talked to a psycho this week ) than Osasuna players; and of course they are playing home, with their supporters favour.
Nothing to do with Osasuna. As I'm betting money for Depor I will be happy for my earn, but I'd be much happier if my loved team got their first away victory.
GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!
Kickoff teams:
RC Deportivo de La Coruña: Aranzubia; Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Colotto, Morel; Juan Rodríguez, Antonio Tomás; Saúl, Lassad, Desmarets; and Adrián. BENCH PLAYERS: Manu, Laure, Seoane, Zé Castro, Rindarøy, Rubén Pérez, Pablo Álvarez, Juan Domínguez and Dioni.

CA Osasuna: Ricardo; Damiá, Lolo, Flaño, Monreal; Nekounam, Vadocz; Juanfran, Soriano, Camuñas; and Lekic. BENCH PLAYERS: Riesgo, Nelson, Josetxo, Lolo, Rúper, Masoud, Aranda y Kike Sola.

Stadium: Riazor. Time: 17.00. Television: PPV. Referee: Pérez Lasa (Basque).

David vs. Goliath

Hello, again! A new football weekend is here and after the mandatory stop because the International matches for the European Cup 2012 ( congratulations Monreal ), we restart the League confrontations.

And the "debut" in the away matches is the most difficult one. Perhaps it's the best option for Osasuna, as the rival is Real Madrid, and after the pre-season matches Mourinho's team is not very well-formed and the Portuguese coach hasn't concluded his style in the " white team " (equipo blanco).

But all Osasuna supporters always fear this confrontation, and also expect the best and the worst from our players. Do not forget that this year is the 20th anniversary of the famous 0-4 ( thanks to Urban ) at the Bernabeu or the 6th anniversary of the last success in Madrid.

I've already talked about my opinion of Osasuna's coach and his past. There's another opportunity for him to show his best and motivate his players to do their best. I'll always support Osasuna's players in this kind of matches, but please do not make us feel embarrased or betrayed.

Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!

Osasuna-Malaga is NOT the most important game!

Good evening, dear Osasunists! We're having one of those beautiful week evenings of a World Champion year. That means football in the evening at Reyno de Navarra stadium.
This evening is Malaga F.C. the visitor team, which defeated Osasuna last year ( 2-3 ).

After last Sunday's derby against Zaragoza Osasuna started to think of next season, as I said in my last article, but suddenly Camacho said yesterday that " the match against Malaga is the most important game of the year. ". Well, let me just to say that I don't know what the result will be this evening, but with all my respect to Malaga players I'm going to talk about this Camacho's sentence.

Let's see. I know Caamacho is the coach and I'm just a mortal supporter, but everybody may agree with me that there are four main important games in the season for us: Real Madrid, Barça, Athletic ( El Bilbao ), and Zaragoza. All these confrontations have been already played at Reyno de Navarra stadium this year. And...? IT'S OVER

So,...Where is the most important game then? Undoubtly, for anyone who went to Madrid five years ago and felt, enjoyed and lived the experience of a Copa del Rey final, the most important game of this year was against Racing de Santander in the K.O. championship in Pamplona.

And we all were disappointed by the coach, the team and the complete club, as we thought, and we still think, that Racing was not a difficult, impossible and tough team to defeat and play the semifinals against Atletico de Madrid, another affordable team to win and reach another dreamed final.

We cannot accept this sentence now, when there are 21 points left and Osasuna only need three or four more points. Tenerife is 9 points away and it's the limit for those teams which are struggling to avoid Second Division relegation. We may only get a point tonight or even be defeated by Malaga, as they are struggling to avoid Second Division. They are in a worse situation than Osasuna, and even the draw is not a good result for Malaga. But Osasuna have many other weeks to get their mathematical salvation. There are some football journalists who say that depending on the results Osasuna may not need more points to confirm next year participation in First Division.

Well, I'm not saying anything else. I'm just quite upset and deceived by Camacho and Izco. I hadn't said my opinion about both renewal, but I consider Izco's time is over and Osasuna need fresh ideas and a new chairman. Besides, Camacho did his job perfectly as he was contract: to keep Osasuna in First Division, but there are other coaches who may do the same next year, and Osasuna supporters don't have a good feeling with the ex-Real Madrid player and semicoach.

Let's see what happens tonight! Good luck Osasuna and I expect we will get the so desired three points to be in First Division next year.

Anyway, Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!

Xerez-Osasuna, Ziganda is in our hearts

After the week match in El Sardinero, Osasuna is playing again in La Liga against Xerez, the worst team in the Spanish competition. But everything is different from their last confrontation in Copa del Rey, as they changed coach and our missed coach, Ziganda, will be in Chapin as another supporter. Now there is new coach and a new team in the administration of the club.
Osasuna is in Xerez since last Friday and their desire of winning the match to keep in a quiet position in League. They must show us, the supporters, that the match against Espanyol wasn't just a dream and, therefore, the second leg against Santander on Wednesday could be prepared with a lot of tranquility.
Last confrontations against Xerez were in Copa del Rey in 1/16 Final confrontation. Osasuna won both legs, in Chapin and Reyno ( 1-2; 1-0 ) and Camacho is counting with almost the whole team, except Oier and Jokin, injured, Ruper, amonested, Vadocz, who is in his country due to his father's death, and Delporte and Roversio, who do not count for Camacho.

Osasuna's coach will again use the habitual team in League with the only interchange of Puñal instead of Ruper. Therefore, the probable kickoff team may be : Ricardo ; Azpilicueta, Sergio, Miguel Flaño and Monreal; Puñal, Nekounam, Juanfran and Camuñas; Aranda and Pandiani.

Finally, I'd like to say some words in favour of "Cuco" Ziganda, who trained both teams in different times. I think he had bad luck in his last adventure in Jerez and he also found himself in a club with a lot of internal problems, such as economical and support by local people, things which are impossible in a club like Osasuna, his loved club and supporters, like me, who still think of "Cuco" as a very good coach for Osasuna. Good luck, Cuco!