LIONEL MESSI

Lionel Messi was born in Argentina in the 1987 on 24 June. His nationality is Argentinan and Spanish.

Messi is the best player in the world, since his debut in the First Divison. His career is in F.C.Barcelona . Lionel Messi has got a family: his wife is Antonela Roccuzzo and they had known each other for a long time, but Antonela came to Barcelona to be with Messi. After some years, Antonela and Messi got married and they had two children.

Lionel Messi is 34 years old and is the new captain of F.C.Barcelona.

Messi's sons are Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi Roccuzzo, Ciro Messi Roccuzzo

Messi has got a lot of trophies in his house: The Golden Ball , The Best Player in the world and the Golden Boot.

 

Mirandes-Osasuna, a game for real supporters

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!
Apart from the pure sport matters, it is clear that the huge influx of Osasuna supporters going to Miranda for a single football game after the last week events in Madrid and the bad results of our team in the last confrontations away and at El Sadar is a positive fresh breath of air for fans of FOOTBALL, in capital letters and real supporters, not for those who use a sport to get an excuse for their violence and frustration.

It is a good opportunity for the city of Miranda in Burgos that is suffering from an increase of unemployment and as many of their companies close down. Osasuna supporters have many friends in Miranda, like me, and though most people there support either Real Madrid or Barcelona F.C, apart from Alaves or Athletic of Bilbao, I am sure there will be a good atmosphere between both parts: supporters of Osasuna and Mirandes.

There will be around 1,200 Osasunists in Miranda this afternoon. Some will go by coach leaving early in the morning to spend a festivity day with the joy of following their team and passion, others will leave after lunch in their cars as Miranda is only one hour from Pamplona but everyone has a single reason to go to El Municipal stadium: to support their team, Osasuna, sing and feel our colours without a single idea of using violence to defend Osasuna!

It is the first team to take so many people to Miranda. Deportivo La Coruña fans, unfortunately famous last weekend, were 800, Athletic fans at semifinal of Copa del Rey were around 1,000, but neither Alaves nor any other team gathered that amount of people.

It is also important to listen to members of both fan groups, Jovenes Jabatos and Indar Gorri, that there is a great atmosphere and a warm welcome is expected from people in Miranda for Osasuna supporters.

Last time both teams played was 37 years ago, on 8th May 1977, and Osasuna won (0-1) thanks to a goal of Echeverria. Then, Osasuna plays against Mirandes at Anduva this afternoon to reinforce the idea of football against violence. As it is said: " I want to see a pure football game ".

Kickoff teams:
MIRANDES S.D. :  Razak, Kijera, Caneda, Corral, Aitor; Rúper, Álex García, Jordi Pablo, Carnicer, Igor Martínez, Urko Vera.

OSASUNA: Roberto, Javier Flaño, Miguel Flaño, Vujadinovic, Sisi, Kodro, Loé, Nekounam, De las Cuevas, Ansarifard, Nino.

GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Betis, it's the final countdown

 
Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! After almost 38 articles this season, one for each match of Osasuna, though I know that I missed some of them, this is the most important article in my three years as a blogger. One single match! Osasuna and its future depends on 90 minutes and a result.
Something similar happened yesterday afternoon for the title of La Liga, but when the relegation posts are the issue of the match, it is even more dramatic. Atletico de Madrid, CONGRATULATIONS, and Barça played for the championship at Camp Nou, but apart from a regeneration on the dressing room in Barcelona or a new chapter on their myth "El Pupas" in Atletico, they didn't risk much more.
Osasuna have been playing with fire for a long time. Now they have been in First Division for 14 seasons in a row, and after starting this season very badly and therefore the club changed coach, Javi Gracia took up Mendilibar, the team seemed to play a good football and even they won the actual champion at El Sadar, which actually was the last match that Osasuna won at El Sadar up to now!
Last Saturday, Osasuna had one of their last opportunities to save the season, but again they failed. Some people say that the nerves and the pity of Espanyol coach, Javier Aguirre, and his players saved the team to be already relegated. Besides, the last goal in the 93 minute of this afternoon rival, Betis, against Valladolid helped. Some Osasuna players and supporters now say that Betis players will come relaxed and unmotivated this afternoon, but I think that Betis are playing their best football now that they are relegated. I believe that extramotivation in the sense of money is one of the reasons, but another is that many players need to find a market to keep their salaries as they used to have this season or get a new team to play with the best in La Liga.
There are many comments on the success of the "poors" with Atletico against the powerful Barça or Mandril, but nobody says that Osasuna has got the lowest budget of all the implicated teams in relegation posts. It is clear that Osasuna players and his coach, Javi Gracia, must keep an eye on other teams and stadiums this afternoon, but what I think is that they must learn from yesterday and Atletico as they did their best with all the odds against.
Osasuna must play as there is no future if they lose. Those who are in the kickoff team must be concentrated and prepared to give their 200% and die in the field. Osasuna supporters cannot do anything else but fill in the stadium and push our players with the support we showed for 19 games home and away alike.
As it happens most of the years at the end of the season, there are goodbyes in the stadiums. Today there is a very important and undesired one at El Sadar: Patxi Puñal retires! The Great Captain after Cesar Crutxaga retires, and he wants to leave Osasuna in First Division. Cesar got it and I hope Patxi will do the same.
POSSIBLE KICKOFF TEAMS
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Arribas, Miguel Flaño, Damiá; Cejudo, Puñal, Lolo, Roberto Torres; Acuña, Oriol Riera.
Betis: Adán; Juanfran, Perquis, Jordi Figueras, Chica; Lolo Reyes, N'Diaye; Vadillo, Salva Sevilla, Cedrick; Rubén Castro.
GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Espanyol-Osasuna, lived or dead

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! It is one of the most important days in the history of Osasuna, as the club is in the edge of being relegated to Second Division if players do not win at Cornellá or get at least a point in their visit to RCD Espanyol, which is not completely safe yet. Osasuna need to win their last two games in Barcelona and Pamplona against Espanyol and the already Second Division team for next season, Betis.
On the other hand, Espanyol play against Osasuna and finish the season in Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, which may be a match for a Liga. Therefore, both team know that this game is the key one to stay in First Division, so both clubs have devoted policies to be supporters by their people so far. Osasuna players and the club paid the tickets for 600 Osasunists to give them strength.

There have been too many mistakes in the last games in Osasuna. When everybody thought that relegation was over and the next season in First Division was about to be prepared, Osasuna lost their games at El Sadar against Celta and Valladolid.
Javier Gracia, Osasuna's coach, travels to Barcelona without Raoul Loé, but with the incorporation of Manuel Ortiz "Lolo" after a month muscular injury. There are many doubts about the kickoff team, but every single Osasuna player must play their best football and give their 150% of their strength, overall the forwards Riera and Acuña, though all players may score ( even though Osasuna is one of the least goal maker teams in La Liga ).

KICKOFF TEAMS:
RCD Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Javi López, Colotto, Héctor Moreno, Fuentes; David López, Víctor Sánchez; Stuani, Jhon Córdoba, Simao, Sergio García.
At. Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Arribas, Miguel Flaño, Damià; De las Cuevas, Lolo, Silva, Roberto Torres; Acuña, Oriol Riera.
GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Celta, to be or not to be!

Good morning, dear Osasunists! Today is the D day, but victory at El Sadar is absent since a long time ago. Last time that the Little Reds won in our stadium was on 23rd February against the now so powerful Atletico de Madrid, which was beaten ( 3-0 ) by a weak about-to-be -relegated team like Osasuna.
 From then up to now, Osasuna lost against Malaga and Sevilla in Pamplona, three teams got a draw at El Sadar (Real Sociedad, Valladolid and Valencia). And today there must be another important decissive victory against Celta to confirm their post for La Liga next season. Although figures say that Osasuna will avoid relegation with three more points, Javi Gracia and his players want to gain the main goal before playing against Espanyol in Barcelona or the last day against a team already in Second Division: Betis.

Unfortunately, Osasuna supporters aren't calm or confident on their team as the team have only won five games at El Sadar in all the season, and on the other hand they lost six games at their home stadium. Osasuna seem to be a better team as a visitor as they got 20 out of their 35 points away from El Sadar.

Everybody has marked this date in red as it is essential to win to achieve that figure which seems to be enough to be safe. Celta won Valladolid last weekend and got to continue in La Liga next season at the same time that they gave Osasuna a hand as they are our enemies to avoid relegation. Osasuna was defeated in Madrid as it was expected, but the image was very poor and that is very worrying for a supporter.
Anyway, Osasuna supporters must go on until the end of the season with their shouting and encouragement with the team. We must fill the stadium and make the rival feel our support to Osasuna. Javie Gracia, Osasuna's coach appeals for a complete unconditional support this evening at El Sadar to get the victory all together. The club has added a video in the social networks to cheer up Osasunists!
Possible Kickoff teams:
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Arribas, Miguel Flaño, Damià; Puñal, Silva; Cejudo, De las Cuevas, Roberto Torres; Oriol Riera.
Celta: Sergio Álvarez; Jonny, Cabral, Fontás, Aurtenetxe; Madinda, Alex López, Augusto Fernández; Nolito, Santi Mina, Bermejo.
GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Valencia, Passion before Easter Sunday

Good morning, dear Osasunists! Today we have a football Saturday afternoon on the previous day for Easter Sunday, called Day of Resurrection in Spain.

Osasuna need to resurrect before the season is over. There are few opportunities left and the team has to win the points at El Sadar to avoid relegation. It is clear that Salvation is in their hands and probably Osasuna will get their aim of the season if they win Valencia C.F. this afternoon.

El Sadar is waiting to see a victory of the home team as we haven't watched it in the last four games celebrated in our stadium. There is a sense of a lost opportunity from last game against Valladolid, a direct rival in the relegation race, and today the visitor is a team that fight for a European post.

Since the game against the powerful possible Champion of La Liga Atletico de Madrid ( 3-0 ) on the last 23rd Febraury, supporters at El Sadar have just seen two draw games and two defeats. Nevertheless, "the little reds" ( los rojillos ) have added 5 points from the last possible 9, and the best of all that is those points were obtained against direct rivals, so the goalaverage is in favour of Osasuna.

Javi Gracia may not make any change in the kickoff team that got a draw against Valladolid, but it is good news to hear that Armenteros can be used and only the long-term injured, Lolo and Sisi are in the nurse's office.

On the other hand, Valencia travel to Pamplona with their minds in the semifinal of the Europe League against Sevilla next Thursday, but they must also think of their posts to play that competition next season, which are occupied by Real Sociedad and Sevilla too.

Possible kickoff teams:

Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Arribas, Miguel Flaño, Damià; Raoul Loé, Silva; Cejudo, De las Cuevas, Roberto Torres; Oriol Riera.

Valencia: Guaita, Pereira, Vezo, Mathieu, Bernat, Keita, Parejo, Feghouli, Cartabia, Vargas, Paco Alcácer.
GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Real Sociedad, a Basque derby for different targets

Good morning, dear Osasunists! Our mood is sad and hopeless as our team losts their advantage with the relegation posts in the last five games home and away, and the next rival is a neighbour who is not in their best moment either: Real Sociedad and besides, they haven't won at El Sadar since 2002. Therefore, there is hope for a reverse situation and the perfect moment is this Sunday.

It is true that the relegation posts are only one point away, but it is also important for Osasuna to see that there will be confrontations between teams in danger and Osasuna can make a profit of that situation. Our rival for Sunday has other targets as Real Sociedad are struggling to go to Europe again next season , either to the Champion League, which is 7 points away, or the Europe League, whose main rival is 9 points down.

Although Joseba's players and supporters haven't got over from the bad results as they have lost three of the last five games in La Liga and they want to make a profit of the confrontation between Atletico and Athletic this Saturday evening to get closer to their neighbours from Bilbao. There is hope for Osasuna as Real Sociedad haven't won in their games away from Anoeta stadium in all 2014. Only when they visited Malaga they won and got a draw in their visit to Getafe. There are doubts in the game of Joseba's players and Osasuna must win to avoid the relegation posts.

Possible kickoff teams:
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Oier, Loties, Arribas, Damià; Loe, Puñal, Francisco Silva; Cejudo, Roberto Torres and Oriol Riera.
Real Sociedad: Bravo; Zaldúa, Ansotegi, Iñigo Martínez, Jose Ángel; Bergara, Rubén Pardo; Carlos Vela, Canales, Griezmann; Agirretxe.

GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Sevilla, 10 finals which start today

 
Good morning, dear Osasunists! Sevilla F.C. visits Pamplona after beating their hatred neighbour at Liga Europa last Thursday in an intense match with extra-time and penalties included. Also, in the home championship, Unai Emery's team are in their best moment, as they have won their last four games to reach the so-called last European post: 7th.

 It is true that after that exhausting game against Betis to get classified for quarter finals in Liga Europa, they may think that their comfortable position in La Liga let them rest for a day and think of their next rival in Europe, as Valencia C.F., their followers are 8 points behind. Besides, the fifth position is only two points away and as we know the Basque coach, he will force his players to fight for the last post for the Champions League up to the end of the season.

Therefore, Sevilla is a very dangerous rival for Osasuna at El Sadar. They have nothing to lose and a lot to win. However, El Sadar is an evil stadium for the club of La Giralda, as they have only won once in their last 13 games played in Pamplona. It was in the season 2009-10, when Kanouté and Negredo scored for the last three points got at El Sadar.
 In the last two confrontations, Osasuna and Sevilla played very important games, overall for the LITTLE REDS ( LOS ROJILLOS ) as they avoided relegation ( 2-1 ) last year before visiting Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu in the last game of the season. Three years before, the situation was similar as they ended the season in Madrid, but there were three games left by then. The games were won in extremis as last year Puñal and Cejudo's goal had to overcome the previous goal of Negredo. Nevertheless, in 2010 it was even worse as the score was 1-2 for Sevilla and Osasuna were heading to Second Division, when in the minute 87 Kike Sola scored his second goal and Leka, in extremis, in the last minute scored the salvation goal, a chimera just three minutes before. GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Levante-Osasuna, Carnival time to disguise

 
Good morning, dear Osasunists! This afternoon Osasuna play in Valencia against Levante at the stadium of Ciutat de València, where two teams will confront their good moment in La Liga as the home players have not lost a game in the last seven weeks and the visitors have added seven out of the nine last possible points.

After those figures, it is clear that Levante have improved a lot since the start of the season and their position in La Liga is out of the dangerous positions and just two points away of the posts that give a passport to Europe.

On the other hand, Osasuna players did their best in all the games played in La Liga this season last Sunday at El Sadar against Atletico ( 3-0 ) and supporters expect to see a continuation of that game as a victory would get closer the final target of the season: avoiding relegation, and the three points would reach the rival of the day: Levante.

The defences will play a very important role in both teams. Andres Fernandez didn't have to take any football from his goals in the last three matches and Levante haven't lost since last January against Valencia at Mestalla ( 2-0 ).

As we always say, Osasuna is a powerful team away from El Sadar with three victories against Málaga (0-1), Valladolid (0-1) and Betis (1-2). Javier Gracia's team got a draw against Celta (1-1), Granada (0-0), and Elche (0-0). Besides Caparros's team have only obtained four victories out of twelve games played at Ciutat de Valencia stadium: RCD Espanyol (3-0), Elche (2-1), Málaga (1-0) and Almería (1-0).

As we usually say lately, the goalaverage is another important issue now. Levante won at (0-1) in the last minutes of the match played at El Sadar and there is a kind of revenge in the Navarrian team. The results in Valencia are in favour of Osasuna as "los rojillos" ( The Little Reds ) have won three of the last six games played in that stadium in La Liga in First Division, and the last two visits ended with the same final score ( 0-2 ).
Possible kickoff teams:
Levante: Navas; Vyntra, Navarro, Juanfran, Nikos, Rubén, Diop, Mate, Ivanschitz, Víctor, Barral.
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Oier Sanjurjo, Arribas, Loties, Damiá; Silva, Lolo; Cejudo, Torres, Armenteros; Oriol Riera.

Osasuna-At.Madrid, a match for the leadership or relegation

 
Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! This evening we have a candidate for La Liga championship as a visitor at El Sadar: Atletico de Madrid, with his star Diego Costa as the main character in the last two visits with five goals that gave Simeone's team the three points in both confrontations ( 2-3 ) and (0-2) . As a matter of fact, Atletico haven't lost in their last five years.

Simeone's team is playing a nice football and their figures are the best in their history: 60 points and their scoring figures are astonishing, being the team with the least goals against ( 16 ) and with very good results in La Liga, the last victory against Valladolid ( 3-0 ) and in Milan in the Champions League.

It is true that a week ago the results were disappointing and the doubts came out for a everlasting candidate to do big things in football. They must get the three points to follow their hatred rival in Madrid and after the defeat of Barça in San Sebastian yesterday night.

El Sadar, our stadium must become a strong fortified field for Atletico and continue the way Osasuna confronted the powerfukl Real Madrid and Barcelone, whose results were just a draw against Javi Gracia's team: Real Madrid (2-2) and Barcelona (0-0).

On the other hand, Osasuna have also overcome from their game crisis after their defeats against Athletic ( 1-5 ) and Villarreal ( 3-1 ). They won against a direct rival to avoid relegation at El Sadar, Getafe ( 2-0 ) and got a draw in Elche ( 0-0 ).

Osasuna supporters will see again a desired loved player at El Sadar: Raul Garcia, who helps Diego Costa and Villa to score very good goals, and he also scores very good and important goals. Osasuna misses a player like Raul, but it seems that Oriol Riera's goals are helping us to forget the lack of a good midfielder.

Javi Gracia, Osasuna's coach, can't use Puñal or De Las Cuevas, injured, and it seems taht he will repeat the same kickoff team as in Elche.

KICKOFF TEAMS:

Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Arribas, Loties, Damiá; Silva, Lolo; Cejudo, Torres, Armenteros; Oriol Riera.
Atlético de Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe; Arda, Gabi, Mario, Koke; Raúl García, Diego Costa.

GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Celta-Osasuna, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Today is a hopeful expectating day for everybody in Spain, as it is the Christmas National Lotery Day and many people are willing to be lucky and become millionaire in a crisis time. But for us, the luck would be to finish the year out of the relegation posts. That is the target for Celta de Vigo and Osasuna, which confront their strenght at Balaidos stadium this evening. Both teams may finish this year with different sensations and evaluation. Lately, the team from Vigo has suffered from two defeats, one against Valladolid (3-0) in Liga and Athletic (4-0) in Copa. On the other hand, Osasuna players are enthusiastic and eager to add three exciting points to the classification and go on holidays out of the relegation posts. Osasuna has improved their game after getting a point against powerful Real Madrid, and eliminating Malaga in La Copa that gives another opportunity to confront Ancelotti's team at El Sadar. Celta's coach, Luis Enrique, is under suspiction and about to be fired if the result is negative this evening. Supporters and chairmen are doubtful with their game and the shameful defeat at San Mames is in their memories. It is also true that Celta is a firm rival at their stadium and they won their three last consecutive games at Balaidos. Osasuna's coach, Javi Gracia, who has been one of the best decisions of the chairmen in the club this year, will try to go on their lately winning streak against a direct rival to avoid relegation at the end of the season. So far, Celta are one point ahead in the classification, but I hope it will be the opposite at the end of the match this evening. The mood is high among the Navarrians after the result at El Sadar against Real Madrid (2-2) in the last game played in La Liga, but with some doubts after the draw (1-1) to eliminate Malaga, at El Sadar too. There are better expectations than the 14 points obtained in the last 17 games in La Liga. The figures and statistics may show hope for Osasuna as the results at Balaidos for the home team are quite negative with similar teams as Osasuna: Celta only won against Almería (3-1), got three draws Español (2-2), Granada (1-1) and Villarreal (0-0), but lost four games with direct rivals and the powerful Barça: Elche (0-1), Levante (0-1), Barcelona (0-3) and Rayo Vallecano (0-2). Besides, Osasuna won twice this year away from El Sadar: Málaga (0-1) and Valladolid (0-1), but we have lost the rest of visitor games against: Athletic (2-0), Getafe (2-1), Atlético de Madrid (2-1), Sevilla (2-1), Real Sociedad (5-0) and Valencia (3-0). Probable kickoff teams: Celta: Yoel; Jonny, Cabral, Fontás, Aurtenetxe; Oubiña, Alex López, Augusto Fernández; Nolito, Rafinha, Santi Mina. Osasuna: Andrés Fernández, Marc Bertrán, Loties, Flaño, Damiá; Puñal, Lolo; Cejudo, Torres, Armenteros, Oriol Riera. GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS! MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PAMPLONA RED SALESIANS AND SALESIANOS PAMPLONA STUDENTS!

Osasuna-Real Madrid, dare to play with the ranks?

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Today we are going to have an early lunch, probably a brunch, as Osasuna plays at El Sadar against the powerful and millionaire Real Madrid. There is a real conjure in the players to repeat their perfomance against the actual leader in La Liga: F.C. Barcelona, that resulted with a draw against the Catalonians.

But there is a main difference between both matches: the date of the confrontation. It is, because the competition is going ahead and actually the first round is going to finish at the beginning of the first month of 2014. Besides, Ancelotti's team is about to reach their eternal rival in the classification after being six points down last November and with many doubts in their supporters to win the home championship.

Anyway, Osasuna players have also improved their play and the team is now more relaxed with their situation in La Liga and with positive results in their last two matches, overall away, against Real Valladolid ( 0-1 ) in La Liga and their last confrotation in Copa del Rey, when they started their match with a 3-0 against and got over to reach a final (3-3) which gives hope to repeat a double confrontation with the rival this afternoon.

It is true that it is marked in red in any Osasuna player's calendar, but I am quite disappointed with this competition as it is led to a confrontation between Barça and Real Madrid, though the neighbour Atletico is struggling to disturb both rivals. Therefore, I come out with the idea of playing with the ranks, the young players of Osasuna, as it is a big effort for the least rich clubs in La Liga to compete aginst the multi-millionaire owners of clubs like Real Madrid and Barça.

A VIDEO TO ACCEPT RONALDO'S IDEAS Thanks to the rivalry and wrath the white team provokes in most supporters of Osasuna there is a tiny kinterest in the match, but if you have a look to the ticket sale, not only the price of the tickets or the crisis the reason for the low income, but also the scarce interest to watch an unbalanced confrontation.

Media groups try to encourage Navarrians to look on the bright side of the confrontations against Real Madrid. Lately, Osasuna have won two matches, lost other two and got a draw in their last five matches in El Sadar against those "galactic" players. On the other hand, Osasuna is a worse team at El Sadar than away, as they only won against Elche (2-1) and Rayo Vallecano (3-1). Supporters have seen a "victorious" draw against Barcelona ( 0-0 ) and four defeats against real rivals for the final goal: avoiding relegation Granada (1-2), Villarreal (0-3), Levante (0-1) and Almería (0-1).

Javi Gracia, Osasuna's coach, can play with Marc Bertrán, Arribas and Lolo, after giving them some rest in the confrontation against Malaga in La Copa, but the Great Captain, an important player for matches like this one, Patxi Puñal can't play this afternoon. That fact raises another issue for me: the referees. I see that their role is not only essential but also difficult to do, but I strongly agree with those people who think that a fault or a penalty against Osasuna is easier to whistle than against the powerful Real Madrid.

Possible kickoff teams:
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Loties, Arribas, Damiá; Silva, Lolo; Cejudo, Armenteros, Torres; Oriol Riera.
Real Madrid: Diego López; Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Illarramendi; Bale, Isco, 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!

Osasuna-Almeria, three key friendly points for Javier Gracia

 
Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Another Friday night of football, but Osasuna must add the three points against Almeria this Friday evening at El Sadar. It is compulsory because the Navarrians would go back to the urgency we had in September when the club changed of coach as they were in the last position of the classification.

After the disappointing score at Anoeta ( 5-0 ) last weekend ( sorry for the lack of my article, but I was celebrating my birthday ), Osasuna missed the opportunity to climb up in La Liga and also brought back doubts to their supporters about their play in Donostia, overall in the defensive posts of the team. Almería, on the other hand, arrives in Pamplona with the idea of going up in La Liga and after two consecutive victories,against Valencia and Valladolid, they think of leaving the dangerous  relegation posts in Navarre.

Javi Gracia was the coach in Almeria last season and he helped to reach First Division. That was one of the reasons the chairman and his people decided to sign him for Osasuna's bench and his relation with the team of his birthplace. He can't use some of his best men for this key match: Nino and Sisi are injured, and De Las Cuevas and Loties are sanctioned. But the news are Javi is about to use a 16-old-year Navarrian player in this confrontation: José García Maurín.

 
As we said previously, Almeria is just the opposite to Osasuna's situation. Their strength is their defence and after twelve games they got scored at any game, they kept their goal safe in Valencia. It is going to be a tough confrontation that might lead to an urgent complicated month for the loser. Probable kickoff teams: Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Flaño, Arribas, Damiá; Raoul, Lolo, Cejudo, Torres, Silva, Oriol Riera. UD Almería: Esteban; Nelson, Pellerano, Trujillo, Torsiglieri, Dubarbier; Ramón Azeez, Marcos Tébar; Aleix, Hélder Barbosa; Rodri.

Gora Osasuna!Aupa Rojillos!

Osasuna-Rayo, our team needs to escape from the cave!

Good evening, dear Osasunists! Tonight we have a football match at El Sadar on the 11th game of the season after the last defeat away against Sevilla F.C.

Osasuna played very simple football but they didn't have any help from the referee, just the opposite as not only Damia's sentout was unfair but he didn't provoke the fault. It is also true that Javi Gracia, Osasuna's coach, didn't do the best changes as it is supposed for most supporters that Satrustegui needs an opportunity and when Damiá had to leave was the best excuse to give a chance for him.

Anyway, tonight's rival is a direct one, from the relegation post and players need to give 100% of their best play. Both teams need the victory urgently, but Osasuna is at home and three points will make a difference.

Rayo is a fast, rough and push team that started the season very well but they have got some handicaps as their defence and lack of scoring are similar to Osasuna, so it is obvious that the team which scores the first will probably be the winner.

Javi Gracia has many problems to form a kickoff team as apart from Damiá, Marc Bertran is also injured. So there will be another chance for Oier and Satrustegui to start the match. All in all, we will see Arribas, Loties, Oier and Satrustegui in front of Andres Fernandez. The midfield will be for Silva and Lolo as the brain for the team and the wings for De Las Cuevas and Cejudo. Finally, Roberto Torres must be the link with the scorer Oriol.

On the other hand,  Rayo is anxious to leave the dangerous positions and they may play with Ruben; Tito, Saul/Arbilla, Galvez and Nacho; Trashorras, Adrian, Lass, Viera; Iago and Larryvei

La liga 2013 - Osasuna 1-0 Rayo Vallecano

Sevilla F.C. against C.A. Osauna, el clasico at Sanchez Pizjuan

Añadir leyenda

Good morning, dear Osasunists!
As I used to say from the very beginning of the season we must face the crazy schedule of the games in La Liga during all the year through. Last game it was on a Saturday afternoon and against Sevilla, Osasuna plays on a Sunday morning. At least it isn't in spring or a hot weekend, as we know the weather could be another handicap for our team. Anyway, I think midday is a good time for a supporter goes to the stadium, but a strange one to go to a tavern to watch on TV.

Sevilla and Osasuna meet at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in order to get a desired victory to content their supporters and brush away their doubts on a suspectful style with shadows and bright moments as Osasuna is in relegation posts and Sevilla is only three points ahead.

Unai Emery, Sevilla's coach, is worried as their play is weird with many defence weaks and the lack of leadership, but on the other hand the Hispalis team got four consecutive matches without losing as they won at their stadium against Rayo Vallecano and Almeria, and they got two points in their visits to Donosti and Valladolid.

Osasuna, on the other hand, got a better score than the expected in their last two games as they got a draw against the powerful Barça at El Sadar, and they did their best to win at La Rosaleda in their last game away from Navarra. Their play has improved and they seem to feel more confident playing in different stadiums from their own. They even played their best in their last decade in La Liga. Nevertheless, Osasuna is still in relegation post, but the tenth post is only a victory away.

If we talk about Osasuna away from El Sadar, their results are varied: they lost against Athletic (2-0), Getafe (2-1) and Atletico de Madrid (2-1), and they only got a single but extraordinary victory in Málaga (0-1).

Javi Gracia, Osasuna's coach, can only use 18 players since the rest of the players in the team are either injured or sanctioned: Nino, Armenteros, Sisi, Raoul Loe, Ion Echaide, and Cejudo. The Navarrian coach must change his last kickoff list with a Navarrian ( remember that Osasuna played without any Navarrian in their last confrontation against Barça ) : Patxi Puñal, who will substitute Sisi, a player who won't play any longer this season after his injury at El Sadar. CHEER UP, SISI!!!!

Posible Kickoff teams:

Sevilla: Beto; Diogo Figueiras, Carriço, Nico Pareja, Alberto Moreno; Iborra, Rakitic; Jairo, Víctor Machín, Perotti; Bacca.

Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Loties, Arribas, Damiá; Lolo, Puñal; De las Cuevas, Torres, Silva; Oriol Riera.
GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Barça, an unbias confrontation

 


Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!
Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol are the main characters for the match this evening. One is a star himself as he is considered the best football player in the world. The Catalonian Carles Puyol is as important as Messi not only for his quality in the defence of Barcelona goal but also for his symbolizing role inside and outside the pitch. It is definitely one of the best news for Martino to confront their next games in La Liga and in Champions League.
After seven months without playing, Puyi is back to a pitch and Messi  podrá volver a jugar con el Barcelona en el partido del sábado contra Osasuna por la liga española de fútbol, en el que el técnico after the game against Almeria.

The leader is visiting El Sadar to break a record of nine victories in a row that Real Madrid got when tv's were in black and white in 1968-69. Osasuna might fish in a week that Barça has to play against Milan in the Champions and against Real Madrid next Saturday at the Camp Nou. Therefore, even when the coach says that they must think of each game, players might be thinking in higher confrontations.
Osasuna must follow Barça's coach's comments that "they are very competitive and after their last game against Malaga showed they can change a weak situation".
Posible kickoff teams:
A. Osasuna: Andrés Fernández, Marc Bertran, Loties, Arribas, Damiá, Lolo, F. Silva, De las Cuevas, Armenteros, Sisi, Oriol Riera.
FC Barcelona: Valdés, Montoya, Puyol, Bartra, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Cesc Fábregas, Neymar.

GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!

Back to our dream,...not to reality!

 
Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Here we are back to another season, but before the school year start. It is difficult for me to write this article so early this time!Summer is still the season of the year, but football and La Liga are back again!

The "Reds" had a bad start last season and they suffered until the last match of the season. Besides, Osasuna was the team with less favour goals in La Liga with only 33 goals in 38 matches. Osasuna starts their 14th season in a row in La Liga de las Estrellas, but we, their supporters are hopeful to avoid suffering, pain or tense as we did last year. It is supposed to have a more effective team, but Osasuna semmed to have the same deficit during the preseason: the goal. Mendilibar is the coach of Osasuna and this will be his fourth season in Pamplona. Not many coaches are so long in a club;actually, Jose Luis becomes the coach with more seasons in a row in La Liga. After his speech before the match, we think that Mendilibar has got a better team and footballers seem to understand him better than last season. I hope that results help him at the beginning. Otherwise, results will make that record not to last for long!

There are new players in the team, but in my opinion, the best news were that Andres Fernandez stayed in El Sadar. Osasuna had to replace another "betrayer", Kike Sola, who left to Bilbao to "improve" his career. It seems that Oriol Riera, the Catalonian player from Alcorcon and the International Paraguayan player Arien Nuñez will be the ones to make us forget Kike and overall his goals. Other new players are the French Jordan Loties (Nancy), another Catalonian, Joan Oriol (Villarreal), and two other players from the youth team Jon Echaide and Eneko Satrustegui, who is still recovering from a serious knee injury since last season. Another issue since last season was the stadium and its name. The previous hours before the match, the channel GOL TV published the name of Reyno de Navarra for the stadium, when first most of the supporters never like that name and second, and more important, the Government of Navarra put an end to the contract with the club to call EL SADAR again. OSASUNA ALWAYS PLAY IN EL SADAR. Osasuna is a team in First Division for most of my students, who I will meet again in September and for those who I never knew before and will be my students in first year! (I will have to tell them some stories!jeje! ) Well, this is all by now! Good luck for the first match to our team! Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!

Real Madrid-Osasuna, goodbye Ricardo!

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Today is the last match of the season and Osasuna have passed their exams before June. The final mark is just a "C" ( PASS ) for their way of playing, effort, motivation and result There will be time to think and analyze every aspect of the team and each position, but the objective should have been gained before and without such an anxiety and despair. The rival is Mou's team and their supporters are divided to say goodbye to their coach after three seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. It is the end of 'Mou's era'. They have also closed their season with a lower mark than Osasuna, as their goal is very different from Osasuna. They wanted to win not only the home championship, but also the Champions, the main reason to sign for Florentino's team for the Portuguese coach. After three years in Madrid, the mediatic coach has only achieved three main titles: Spanish League,Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup. As we see, they are just local cups and none of them are International or European titles. Before his strong hand with the captain, Iker Casillas, most of the supporters of the white team were with Mou, and when the coach targeted his fellow countryman, Cristiano, as one of the culprits of their elimination in Champions, everybody knew Mou was looking for other personal aims. The match today is a farewell party for many people, but the most important for us is the goodbye for our goalkeeper, Ricardo. He left the last season, but came back to help the club when Asier Riesgo was seriously injured at the beginning of this season. He hasn't played a single match, but it's and has been a very important person in the dressing room at El Sadar and away. His career may have been empty of relevant titles, but he played for top teams like Real Madrid, Manchester United and, of course, Osasuna. I think that Mendilibar should have him in the kickoff team. On the other side of the pitch and apart from their coach, there will be other people saying goodbye. There is another goalkeeper to leave, but it is not Mou's desire: Iker, but an arrogant young one: Adan. He may play this afternoon as Iker is still punished by Mou and Diego Lopez is absent. Other players are Carvalho, who is leaving to Monaco, one of the next powerful teams in Europe, Essien, Callejon and Higuain, some players in the orbit of Mou's next team, Chelsea. Mourinho is still stubborn with his ideas and as Varane is injured and Marcelo is already with his National team, he doesn't want to use Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Kaká or Cristiano Ronaldo. None of them will play this afternoon and he wants to make a final gesture for the Chamartin supportes using the youngsters Nacho, Morata, Fabinho, Llorente and Omar to fill in the list for the match. As Osasuna already got their main target: keep in first division, there might be a surprise at the end of the match as it happened three years ago ( 0-3 ). Without any pressure, Osasuna players must use this game as a good opportunity to 'sell themselves' like in a shop window. There are many habitual players out and even Mendilibar can't sit on the Bernabeu coach and it might be his last game in Osasuna, though. Arribas and Damià are sanctioned; Lolo, Nino, Annan, Miguel Flaño and Marc Bertrán injured and the players Raoul Loé and Masoud with their National teams for the Conference Cup. Another significant absence is the captain: Patxi Puñal, who is about to become a father. There is also another farewell: the Basque referee Perez Lasa is retiring too and this match will be the last one for his career in La Liga. Posible kickoff teams: Real Madrid: Adán; Arbeloa, Raúl Albiol, Carvalho, Nacho; Essien, Modric, Özil; Di María, Callejón e Higuaín. Osasuna: Asier Riesgo; Oier, Rubén, Unai García, Nano; Silva, Timor; Armenteros, Roberto Torres, De las Cuevas; Llorente. GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS! SEE YOU ALL NEXT SEASON!!!!!!

Osasuna-Real Sociedad, a neighbours' confrontation

 

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! The Reds are conscious that the match against Real Sociedad are losing a very good opportunity to confirm their next year participation in First Division. Last confrontations against Espanyol and Malaga finished in two painful defeats in the way they happened, in the last minutes of the matches.

Real Sociedad, one of the best teams of La Liga, pay a visit at El Sadar in their Champions position and Osasuna must win to avoid problems for the following games away and home. Osasuna lost at El Sadar against Athletic, Atletico and Espanyol, and it is almost more worrying for us, their supporters, the fact that they have lost in their last five matches. Osasuna have only got the points against Valladolid at Zorrilla stadium.

Osasuna is only three points away from the relegation posts and the results of the teams below the Reds help to solve the situation.We had a similar results with the matches on Friday and Saturday, so that Mallorca, Celta, Zaragoza and Deportivo are still under Osasuna posts.

The supporters from both cities and regions always are in good terms and there is a good atmosphere before thire confrontations, no matter their position in the classification of the League. It is supposed to have a good day in Pamplona for those who want to follow their team from Donostia.

Mendilibar's team can't be formed with Siguen Joseba Llorente, as he signed for Osasuna from Real Sociedad, also the injured Sisi, Annan and Ruben, and finally the sanctioned  Marc Bertrán..The Basque coach in Osasuna must form a different defense line from the previous game, so Damia and Lolo may have their chance to play.

On the other hand, Montanier's team is also affected by some injuries like Zurutuza and Asier Illarramendi, who may be replaced by Pardo or Gorka Elustondo. The team from Donosti may win their third game in a row, which they didn't get in the last nine year in La Liga.

Osasuna supporters can watch an old friend in Real Sociedad team as Carlos Vela played for Osasuna when Javier Aguirre coached our team. The Mexican is the best scorer in the Donostiarran team and idol for their supporters. But another good goal scorer is Agirretxe and the Frenchbasque Griezmann. who may revolt the defence in Osasuna!

GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

- Posible kickoff teams:
At. Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Damià, Lolo, Arribas, Oier; Raoul Loé o Puñal, Silva; Cejudo, Armenteros, De las Cuevas; Kike Sola.
Real Sociedad: Bravo; Carlos Martínez, Mikel, Iñigo Martínez, De la Bella o José Ángel; Bergara, Elustondo, Xabi Prieto; Griezmann, Vela, Agirretxe.