Barça-Osasuna, a goalkeeper issue

Good Morning, dear Osasunists!

This evening Osasuna plays against F.C. Barcelona at Camp Nou at 19.00 hours after winning against Coruña in the first game of the second round of La Liga. Barça got their first defeat in La Liga this season against Real Sociedad at Anoeta Stadium. They have completed the best first round in the history of La Liga. But Messi's team had another bad score against Malaga F.C. in the first leg of the quarter final of Copa del Rey at Camp Nou too.


However, it seems to have got over the bad moments of last week results and they won Malaga ( 2-4 ) at La Rosaleda and have to play against Real Madrid for a post in the final of Copa del Rey. So, Osasuna may make a profit of this situation as they are considered a lower rival than next one for the semifinals. Roura, who will sit on the bench instead for Villanova, still under treatment for his illness,  might use different players from the habitual kickoff team. Piqué, who became a father this week after his couple Shakira gave birth to a son called Milan, can't play as he is sanctioned, but his substitute is even better, the captain Carles Puyol. Other players like Alves, Iniesta, Xavi or Pedro could have a rest for the match on Wednesday at El Bernabeu against Real Madrid, and Adriano, Thiago, Alexis or Villa could have the opportunity to show their talents against Osasuna.

On the other hand, as we can see, Osasuna can't think that the match will be easier, as even when we say the kickoff team of Barça won't be the habitual, the quality of the players are as good as the substituted ones. As a positive point for Mendilibar's team is the good attitude they had against Depor last weekend and the idea that they have nothing to lose in their game against Barcelona.

Yesterday results were in favour for Osasuna as their rivals to avoid relegation either lost their games or only got a point. And if it is supposed to take the defeat against Barça for granted, they may get an extra point that they didn't count at the beginning of the season.

The issue of the week was the substitute for Iker Casillas in Real Madrid, after his injury in his hand against Valencia in Copa del Rey. Andres Fernandez, Osasuna's goalkeeper was in the list of the desired for Mou, but in the end Diego Lopez, from Sevilla F.C. was signed for Real Madrid yesterday evening, and there was a relief in Osasuna. At least till the end of the season, as Valdes, the goalkeeper of Barcelona also said that he won't play at Camp Nou again next season. And we all know that Osasuna's goalkeepers are always well estimated by Barça chairmen and remember Juan Carlos Unzue, former Osasuna goalkeeper is the trainer of goalkeepers in F.C. Barcelona.
Andres Fernandez was quite nervous in the match against Real Madrid at El Sadar and everybody suspected that he was more interested in having a good evening act than in the final result. I hope it won't be the same this evening. We alll know that the general manager in Barça is another ex-goalkeeper, Andoni Zubizarreta, and he will take notes of Andres's acts.

Anyway, Mendilibar's team is strong in the defence line, not only because of Andres saves, but also the actions of Ruben, Arribas o Bertran. There will be two changes from the kickoff team last weekend, and it seems that Nano will play instead of Damia, sanctioned, and De las Cuevas instead for Armenteros. Patxi Puñal and Oier may have another opportunity to lead the team too.


Barcelona: Valdés; Adriano, Mascherano, Puyol, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Thiago, Cesc, Alexis, Messi and Villa.
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Rubén, Arribas, Nano; Puñal, Lolo, Cejudo, Nino, De las Cuevas; and Kike Sola.
Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!

Osasuna-Real Madrid, the scary match

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!

This evening is the D day for many Osasuna supporters as one of our hatred teams, Real Madrid, is visiting our fortress: EL SADAR! We expect to watch the third victory at our stadium!

Osasuna is not that strong team that used to be in their stadium, now that everybody renames it as EL SADAR. Even away from their stadium the results are negative and the good expectations Osasuna got in November became a nightmare in December and continue with the first game in 2013 against Sevilla F.C. Osasuna is the last in the classification with five defeats out of the last six games.

The last game that ended with a victory at El Sadar was on December 2, it was against the surprising Rayo (1-0). Since then, there are many doubts in Mendilibar's team and decissions and there is more about miracles than good game. There is lack of efectiveness towards the goal and messy football, though we sometimes have to blame some referees' decissions to avoid a better result for Osasuna.

The figures in Osasuna are low: it is the team with the least scored goals in La Liga, though Andres Fernandez, their goalkeeper, is one of the best in this season too. Osasuna players have only scored 14 goals in 18 games. 

On the other hand, Real Madrid F.C. is an irregular team when they are visitors. Mou's team won four games and lost three away games. They got a draw at the Camp Nou, the invictus team in La Liga.
 
There are many abscences in both teams, but we mustn't compare the differences between teams. Mendilibar can't use the injured Sisi, Riesgo or Masoud. The Basque coach has to add Annan, who is playing The Africa Cup and Nano, Torres ( I don't agree ), Onwu and Lamah ( who is said to be about to leave towards the Premier ) are out due to technical decisions.

We must remember that the winter market is open and Osasuna used to incorporate an ex-goalkeeper, Ricardo, and this week De Las Cuevas, from GIjon, signed for Osasuna. The first one will be on the bench as the second goalkeeper and the midfielder can have an opportunity to show his abilities.

Real Madrid and other teams always point out the visit to Pamplona as one of the most difficult places to play. The size of the stadium and the untiring supporting chants of the audience must be two in-favour marks for Osasuna. Mou started complaining that he can't use thre key players in his team: Pepe and Ramos, as defenders, two of the most violent and disgusting players in my opinion who should be banned from the stadiums all over the world.

Besides, the most brilliant player, after Leo Messi, of course, is also absent at EL SADAR. He is scared of listening our hatring chants and our rhymes saying the true about his poor game at EL Sadar. He is arrogant, a showoff person and rude: HE IS CRISTIANO RONALDO. To be honest with him, he has saved his coach's throat in the last two games against Real Sociedad and in La Copa del Rey against Celta.

Mou has to use his SECOND GOALKEEPER: IKER CASILLAS. Yes, he is considered unfit by the Portuguese coach and it is said that the relationship between both people is absolutely broken. It is incredible that daddy Florentino Perez don't use his powerful decissions to take over Mou and substitute him for another real Real Madrid lover! But I suppose the money he has to pay for a dismiss is scandalous.

The scandal is the amount of points Barça is ahead the most hatred rival: 16 points. And Mou decided to take it for granted that they can't win this Liga, therefore his goals are the Champions and Copa del Rey. So, perhaps it is a good opportunity for Osasuna to ge a fantastic victory.


GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!

Probable kickoff:
Osasuna: Andrés; Marc, Arribas, Flaño, Damiá; Puñal, Oier , Cejudo, Armenteros; Nino; and Sola.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Carvalho, Marcelo; Khedira, Alonso, Callejón, Özil; Higuaín or Di María and Benzema.