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-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.

Real Sociedad-C.A.Osasuna, Black Friday at Anoeta?

Good evening, dear Osasunists! This article is historical as it is the first time that Osasuna will play on Friday and it's my first article about a football game on that day of the week. Osasuna will play two games on Friday in this season, as they play against Rayo Vallecano next Friday at El Sadar. But let's talk about this evening match. Osasuna is visiting Real Sociedad at Anoeta stadium and it is a very difficult derby as Montanier's players have won the last two games and Osasuna, in the relegation posts, have obtained four out of six points. The next two games are essential for the future of Osasuna. Not only because they only got 9 points in 12 games, but also because they will play against direct rivals in their struggle to avoid relegation: Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. Osasuna started the right way to leave the most dangerous post in La Liga when they won Espanyol ( 0-3 ) two weeks ago. They also improved their style in their last game at EL Sadar against Malaga, but they were unlucky to achieve a goal. Osasuna have improved in three key positions. First, defense. Despite their continuous defeats, Osasuna have the same number of goals against as Barça. And Osasuna's goalkeeper didn't get any goal in the last two games.The second is the strength and the equality of the confrontation between both teams, and there is a unbeatable proof: only a goal in the last two years. Finally, Mendilibar is a good coach for Osasuna in spite of the critics he had in the last month. Anoeta is a good fortress for Real Sociedad and the average of goals in their stadium is high ( 2 goals ) for the "Donostiarran" ( people from San Sebastian ). There is a change in Moncoutier's team: Jose Angel instead of the injured Markel, but they will play as similar as when they won Malaga at their stadium or after scoring four goals against Rayo Vallecano on Monday. Possible kickoff teams: Real Sociedad: Bravo; Estrada, Mikel Gonzalez, Iñigo Martínez, De la Bella; Illarramendi, Pardo, Ifrán, Vela; Xabi Prieto and Griezmann. Osasuna: Andrés Fernández, Damiá, Flaño, Arribas, Nano, Cejudo, Raoul Loe, Oier, Sisi, Armenteros and Kike Sola. It will be broadcast on Marca TV ( 21.30 )

Osasuna-Real Sociedad, game over!

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Tonight it's the only football day and it is the last match of the season at El Sadar! Osasuna says goodbye in front of their supporters against "our brothers" Real Sociedad at nine o'clock in the evening! After 36 games, we must say that we, Osasuna supporters, have forgotten those times of agony and nerves when our players were struggling in the last season game to mantain the category of First Division team. This season Osasuna reached their start goal many weeks ago, and it is true that Osasuna didn't know to play for different goals! I can't say that Osasuna don't want to go to Europe next year, but I think that a similar situation won't be possible again. What it is for sure is that tonight is a farewell game for many reasons! Not only the season will be over at our stadium, El Sadar ( by the way, that will be its official name next season again ), but also some players in both teams will play ( or not ) their last career game. I got a tweet two days ago with Ricardo's words saying that he is quite tired of tournaments and trips. It was a short comment taken as a farewell, and we have to bear in mind that he hasn't played a single minute this season. I think that Mendilibar, if he is aware of the news, should act and have Ricardo in the kickoff team, and there won't be noticed! There are many things to thank and congratulate to Ricardo. Another player at Osasuna team who leaves, for sure, is Raul Garcia. Perhaps, his position in Atletico is covered, but I think that Atletico managers have another idea to get money from that good player. I had a debate at twitter with some followers about the excellence of Raul Garcia and we didn't reach to an agreement of his relevance. I think that his season has been excellent but there were other magnificient players in Osasuna history who were more necessary for the team than Raul Garcia. I mean the famous three scorers at the 80's ( Echeverria-Iriguibel-Martin ), when we now invent the "tridente" we realized it was already invented. Or when the Englishmen, Michael Robinson and Sammie Lee arrived and changed our way of thinking. Or that polish excellent player, Jan Urban, who made us dream with Europe for the first time! Anyway, Raul will be a sensitive loss. Finally, the last but not the least is our chairman, Patxi Izco. He cried in his farewell yerterday in front of the journalists, but I think that supporters in El Sadar will have another opinion. If I have to be unbias, I must say that his work in the club has been good, but due to the crisis in the country and Europe, he may leave the club in a weak position for the next chairman and their executives. It will be difficult to manage the club and I suppose there will be a continuation and Artxanco is the most probable succesor. As you see, the game itself is the less important thing for tonight game. We are supposed to fight for a place in Europe, though it seems to be quite imposible. Osasuna must win the last two games against Real Sociedad and Racing Santander. Supporters might be more eager to get that prize than players themselves. There are some reasons for that. First, Osasuna play a derby against Real Sociedad tonight. We have memories of good games when each team "helped" the other in some different situations. Bear in mind that our mutual "enemy" is Athletic and players form Bilbao already got next season place for Europe and Real Sociedad is as safe as Osasuna for next season in First Division. I think they are more relaxed than Osasuna players and we must make a profit of it. Another reason for my point to win the match is that another fooballer is saying goodbye tonight, now at Real Sociedad side. Mikel Aramburu, similar to our Patxi Puñal, the captain, is retiring at the end of this season. I suppose it will be a handicap for them! Osasuna must paly without four injured players:Kike Sola, Masoud, Echaide and Sergio; and three sanctioned: Leka, Damiá and Roversio. On the other hand, Flaño, Loe, Onwu and Satrustegi might be back, but I suppose the kickoff team will be: Andrés; Bertrán, Flaño, Lolo, Raitala o Satrustegui; Puñal, Neko and Raúl García; Cejudo or Lamah, Ibra and Nino. Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!

Real Sociedad-C.A.Osasuna, "the pintxo match"

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!Today we are back to those loving derbies we really enjoy: Real Sociedad-Osasuna, which always implies a visit to a comfortable friendly city: San Sebastián, for me, Donosti.

Real Sociedad was back to First Division this season and it's fulfilling a very brilliant one in the noble positions and they will try to leave behind and down to Osasuna, a direct rival in the struggle to avoid relegation.

Osasuna players still have some duties to fulfill: to win away this season, for example. This is again a good opportunity to finally obtain it. There is a good feeling in Osasuna supporters after the victory against Real Madrid, but the last draw against Mallorca made us feel upset again.

Real Sociedad has always been a team in my heart. Perhaps, the main is that I have got many friends there, but they also represent the values I usually defend. The visit of Osasuna is a good opportunity for eveyone to show the brotherhood between both supporters. I am happy they are back in First Division, as I know they were when we promoted from last relegation. A good excuse to visit Donosti is the match against Real Sociedad, and a good reason to taste the delicious "pintxos" in downtown.

Today Real Sociedad players are struggling to achieve the European positions in the League, while Osasuna players have to struggle to avoid the last three position which relegate the teams to Second Division.

Osasuna need to win this game, for many reasons, but overall because I think it's enough time to wait for a year to watch a victory away. I'm sure there won't be many teams in the world whose chairman and conseliers let a coach keep their post with a statistic like the one of Camacho's. Maybe the economical situation in the club cannot afford to substitute the coach, but I hope there will be a change next season on the bench of Osasuna: CAMACHO GO HOME!!!!

Here are those Camacho's figures: eight consecutive games without a victory, 4 points out of six in the last two games at home, and of course, a date to remember: 31/01/10, the last victory away home. Camacho's players have only got two out of 33 points in their games as visitors this season.

I hope I will have to swallow my words in this article if they win, as I had to do after my comments before the match against Real Madrid. Perhaps, the players need an extra motivation to play well, and for Osasuna supporters this is one of the most deired matches to watch, after Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao confrontations, of course!!!

Probable kickoff teams:

Real Sociedad: Bravo; Estrada, Ansotegi, Mikel González, De la Bella; Rivas, Aranburu, Griezmann, Sarpong, Zurutuza; Tamudo.

Osasuna: Ricardo; Damiá, Lolo, Miguel Flaño, Monreal; Puñal, Nekounam; Lekic, Pandiani, Camuñas; y Masoud.

Osasuna-Real Sociedad, a missed derby for so long!

(Thanks for this picture, César Oroz )
Hi Osasuna supporters,

Is there football this evening?
Shakespeare said: "To be or not to be, that is the question". We could swap it for: "football or not football, that is the key".

It's three weeks since La Liga started. There has been a destitution in Second Division ( Tenerife's coach, Arconada ). They didn't win a match out of four. What is different from Osasuna?

Some people would say "category". Probably they would be right, half right, as Tenerife is struggling to go back to first division, and Osasuna is supposed to avoid relgation ( That's the main goal every season, as chairman and coach repeat constantly ).

What is happening with Osasuna? Are they worse than last year? It's said that this team is better than last year, but it's also said that most players are quite mature compared to other teams ( see how Real Madrid and Barça players are younger than Osasuna's ). It's also proved that first matches for Osasuna were with difficult stronger teams ( Villareal, Real Madrid, Mallorca- included two away confrontations ), but it's supposed to see a more motivating way of playing on the field and more effectiveness towards the goal.

Today Osasuna plays against Real Sociedad, a historical team just promoted from Second division ( winner of the Second Division 09-10 ). Last weekend they played against Real Madrid and the mass media agreed to say they deserved to beat the "madridistas" at Anoeta. They could even be the leaders at this time. So what are Osasuna options this evening?

Honestly, I think Osasuna should start playing as they know, do all their best, but in the end I think they will lose, because as I said at the beginning of this season the problem is on the coach. Camacho is not motivating enough for this team and main supporters, not only the so called hooligans of INDAR GORRI do not support the coach or the chairman, either. There's an urgent search of identity of Osasuna roots, and Camacho is not part of Osasuna, an outsider!

Anyway,...AUPA ROJILLOS! GORA OSASUNA