Osasuna in the final countdown of El Clasico

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! This is one of the weekends when tradition mixes with football, and when I have crossed feelings for the match of Osasuna.F.C. Barcelona is running of time to catch the first team in La Liga to win the championship. Overall, the home team must show their skills and power to defeat a minor team like Osasuna, but as they lost in Zorrilla last weekend, Osasuna can get another surprise!

Gracia's players don't have anything to lose in this game and moreover, they have to struggle to get a point as they have lost their last two games in La Liga, one away, in Valencia against Levante(2-0) and at El Sadar against Málaga (0-2). Therefore, the relegation posts are closer than two weeks ago and the season is dying out. It is true that Osasuna were unlucky in their last match against Malaga, with a lot of failed occasions near the goal.

Nevertheless, Osasuna is still a weak team at home and they missed a good opportunity to reach a comfortable post in La Liga. As always, our team must get used to struggling for a position in First Division from now to the end of the season. There is always a place for surprise at El Camp Nou, as it happened on 23th May 2.009, when Osasuna won with Pandiani's goal and also the last draw at El Sadar (0-0) gives hope to the team for a good result in this visit to Barcelona.

On the other hand, Martino and his men have been on the spot for a week after their defeat in Valladolid and the anxiety to win against Manchester City in the Champions League. Besides, there are many issues in the club of Les Corts that players get distracted: Messi's injures or health problems, Neymar's court issues, Pujol, Iniesta, Valdes,...all these things are more important in the city, even more than the Nationalism Issue, than the match aginst Osasuna.
Another issue is El Clasico, the match against Ancelotti's team, which will be played next Sunday and when most people think that La Liga will be won or lost. Anyway, the team from La Castellana did their homework last night against Malaga, but Barcelona's players must be willing to satisfy their supporters and park their confrontations with their coach, Martino. However, it is expected to have the well-known "rotations" before "the match of the year": Bartra for Piqué, Montoya for Alves, Xavi for Cesc, etc...But Osasuna's coach would like to have those doubts for his kickoff list!

Kickoff lists:
Barcelona: Valdes; Montoya, Bartra, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc; Pedro, Messi and Neymar.
At. Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Oier Sanjurjo, Loties, Arribas, Damiá; Silva, Lolo; Cejudo, Torres, Armenteros; Oriol Riera.
GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Real Madrid, and the golden ball is for...!!!

 

Good evening, dear Osasunists! Tonight there is football at El Sadar and an old hatred rival is visiting our home for the second leg in Copa del Rey: Real Madrid. The confrontation in Madrid finished with the victory of Ancelotti's team ( 2-0 ), but I think there's a relaxing atmosphere in the powerful side, overall after the ceremony of the Golden Ball yesterday.

 

On the other hand, Osasuna is in a very good mood and situation. There is nothing to lose and a lot to win as nobody gives a damn for us to go for the next leg. Besides, Javier Gracia's team has parked La Liga issue until next weekend when the second leg starts against Granada and the position in the classification is very comfortable ( 13th ) after two consecutive victories against direct rivals : Espanyol and Betis. The relegation posts are five points away.

The odds are against Osasuna as they have been eliminated in all the confrontations with the white team. Anyway, Osasuna players must do their best in the pitch and the non-habitual players have the opportunity to show their coach, Javier Gracia, that they can play in La Liga from the beginning. The two new players in the team, like Acuña, may be in the kickoff team, and as Andres Fernandez, the goalkeeper was sent off in Sevilla the last game in La Liga and can't play the following one, he is to play this evening for sure.

Posible kickoff teams:
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Oier Sanjurjo, Miguel Flaño, Arribas, Joan Oriol; Puñal, Raoul; Cejudo, Torres, De las Cuevas; Acuña.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao; Illarramendi, Xabi Alonso; Jesé, Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.

GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Valladolid-Osasuna, back to life!

Good evening, dear Osasunists! Today is Friday, but I am not complaining about the scheduled matches of this weekend, because I am eager to watch our team again, and overall to start my rest with a smile on my face!
Osasuna play against Valladolid at Jose Zorrilla, a stadium which has been a good visit for Javi Gracia's team to get points. Unfortunately, the actual situation is very tragic and we must get back those points lost against Almeria last game at El Sadar.
The Reds have won or got a draw for 12 consecutive years. Last time they lost was  on 21st April 2002 (1-0) and last season they won with (1-3).
Javi Gracia can use some players he couldn't have in his ideal team for Almeria confrontation. Loties and De Las Cuevas were sanctioned, but their post is replaced by Oriol Riera.
The rival, Real Valladolid, is on the edge of the relegation posts. They have the same urgencies to win in La Liga and their coach, Juan Ignacio Martínez, is concious that the confrontation is a key game for both teams.
Possible kickoff teams:
Valladolid: Mariño, Alcatraz or Rukavina, Marc Valiente, Rueda, Peña, Álvaro Rubio, Sastre, Ebert, Larsson, Bergdich or Rama; Javi Guerra.
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández, Marc Bertrán, Loties, Arribas, Damiá, Lolo y Puñal, Armenteros, Torres, De las Cuevas; Manuel.
GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!