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!

Valencia C.F.-C.A.Osasuna, May the forth be with you!

Good morning, dear Osasunists! Osasuna play one of their five finals until the end of La Liga against Valencia C.F. at Mestalla stadium.

Both teams, Valencia and Osasuna have to do their best in these five last games to fulfill their goals from the beginning of the season. Valencia's goal was to play the Champions League next season, and Osasuna's to play First Division again and avoid relegation to Second Division.

On the one hand, Valencia must counteract the advantage of their rival, Real Sociedad, of five points. On the other hand, Osasuna is only three points ahead of their direct rivals to avoid relegation. As Mendilibar said this week: "Osasuna is the best of the six teams to avoid Second Division posts". They can't waste any opportunity and yesterday's result in Vigo ( 1-1 ) with Athletic is good news, not excellent, for Osasuna supporters.

Valverde, Valencia's coach, won't be able to have Albelda, the captain, on the pitch, but the Basque may complete an excellent round on the bench of a turbulent club with many economical problems and changes in their financial team. However, the coach can make a very competitive team with players like Parejo or Soldado, who is in a very good estate and scored a goal at Anoeta last Sunday, though it didn't help to win the match.

Mendilibar, Osasuna's coach, can't use Armenteros, Annan, or Sisi who are injured. At least, Marc Bertran and Oier are back to the team, but even when Sergio is recovered from his injured, he'll stay in Pamplona. Osasuna play their second consecutive game away and they need to add points in each match before La Liga finish. Osasuna got a draw against Rayo and Real Sociedad, and they haven't won in their last four games.

Finally, We must make a short comment on the day of the game: May 4th ( MAY THE FOURTH/FORCE ) BE WITH YOU is a worldwide event fot those who like the saga STAR WARS in series or films and are called themselves freaks. Osasuna need a big force to avoid relegation and to win the match against Valencia. So, this is my wish for them.

Probable kickoff teams:
Valencia: Guaita, Joao Pereira, Ricardo Costa, Mathieu, Guardado, Parejo, Tino Costa, Canales, Banega, Jonas and Soldado.
Osasuna: Andrés Fernández; Marc Bertrán, Arribas, Miguel Flaño, Oier; Raoul Loé, Silva; Cejudo, Timor, De las Cuevas; Kike Sola. GORA OSASUNA! AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Valencia, a basque confrontation on the benches

 

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! It's been a long time since I haven't written any post about Osasuna, but work and personal life has been a mess for a while.
As I always say anyone can use this blog for comments and for writing their opinions about Osasuna football matches and anything related to English worldwide.

Tonight, Osasuna is playing against one of the best teams in La Liga and, therefore, in the world: Valencia F.C. This club from the Mediterranean area of Spain is in trouble and there is a turmoil atmosphere over the players and their relationships. After the last results in Europe and in the home championship, the former coach Pellegrino was fired and a new one signed this week.

There will be a confrontation of basque coaches on the benches this evening. Two good friends, Valverde and Mendilibar are meeting at El Sadar in different situations at their clubs with a common career in Athletic Club de Bilbao as football players or former coaches in Bilbao.

Valverde is back in Spain after his glorious time in Greece with Olympiakos winning two home titles in 2011 and 2012, and the Greek Cup last season. But, the players' relationships in Valencia C.F. won't help him have a calm entreé in the Spanish League this season, and as he's said recently he might use more water than gasoil to put out the fire in the ché changing room.

Mendilibar, on the other hand, is living a different situation after a hesitant start in La Liga. There were doubts of Osasuna's supporters with the coach as Osasuna didn't win in the first six games of the actual season. Now, there are 13 points in the clasification and the team is out of the relegation posts. If we compare with Valencia F.C., Osasuna is only 5 points down the team from Levante area. Osasuna have achieved four consecutive games without losing and being scored. The defence and goalkeeper are the most appreciated players in Pamplona these days.

"Chilly" ingredients for a interesting confrontation this evening. Besides, Osasuna mustn't relax after their achievements, as their followers are just one point ahead, like Granada F.C. Therefore, there is more necesity in the side of Mendilibar's team, as he reminded these days, because the new Valverde's players already obtained the pass for next round at the Champions League and Copa del Rey ( by the way, Osasuna and Valencia will confront in this championship this month three times ). So, the players will try to find a place in Valverde's board.

There are different aims on the two benches. Mendilibar will try to broaden the gap between Osasuna and their followers and Valverde's job is to recover a group of good players to become a very good team again, as I think they are out of the race to win the Liga championship, very far away from the leaders F.C. Barcelona, Atletico or Real Madrid. Valencia F.C. will have to struggle this season to get a passport for Europe either through Europe League ( 4 points away ) or the Champions League ( 7 points away ).

What about the players? In the side of Valencia F.C., Jonas can't play as he was sent out last match against Real Sociedad, or Valverde can't use the injured Víctor Ruiz and Joao Pereira. Mendilibar, for Tajonar's side must find good players to substitute Nino, Masoud or Sisi, injured for the rest of the season against Rayo, or the lately injured players Marc Betrán or Kike Sola.

Probable kickoff teams:

Atlético Osasuna: Andres Fernandez, Damia, Arribas, Flaño, Nano, Timor, Loe, Lamah, Cejudo, Armenteros, and Joseba Llorente.
Valencia CF: Alves, Barragan, Ricardo Costa, Rami, Guardado, Albelda, Fernando Gago, Banega, Feghouli, Piatti, y Soldado.

Games for Europe in the Mediterranean Sea and...Bilbao

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists!Tonight there is football and it is the Spanish League! After last weekend confrontations the positions in La Liga are similar to the beginning of the previous match against Villarreal. Osasuna stayed at Valencia for six days to prepare the final assault to the seventh post, which may take the holder to Europe next season. Osasuna might depend on other results tonight to see their options in their new target: European League. Malaga plays in Barcelona against Pep's team and we expect that Barça players want to dedicate their coach the rest of their victories before Guardiola leaves the bench at Camp Nou. Last Saturday, Osasuna played against Villarreal a match many people watched on the TV. Today it's another game on La Sexta and some of the supporters agreed that Osasuna players had a good play at El Madrigal and though they only got a draw, they could have either won or lost as Lotina's team also are struggling for a different target: avoid relegation to Second Division for next season. Valencia and Osasuna confront at Mestalla tonight in a delayed match due to previous strike on first day of the actual season. Emery is on the edge of losing temper with the local journals and their supporters. It is said that he will leave Valencia next season, in a different way as Pep Guardiola is going to do in Barcelona. Valencia F.C. are supposed to gain the third position, but Malaga F.C. are following them and they even start this evening match with the same points. If Osasuna are able to get a point at least tonight, they will get Valencia into trouble and they will have to win at a vital derby next Saturday. Osasuna are on the eighth position, two points away from Europe. If results are positive tonight, they might "sleep" in Europe tonight. They will go into the pitch with the knowledge of the result in Madrid with the confrontation between Atletico and Real Sociedad, and also the results of Barça-Malaga and Zaragoza-Levante. If Malaga and Levante lose their matches or, at least, get only a draw, Valencia players might play more relaxed than if those rivals get the three points. There are some injured players for Mendilibar's team. Echaide, Masoud didn't travel to that ministage at the Mediterranean Sea to play against Villarreal and Valencia. Kike Sola and Sergio might only have sunburnts at the beaches in Valencia, and Miguel Flaño alike. Therefore, the probable kickoff teams are: Valencia CF: Guaita, Barragán, Rami, Ricardo Costa, J. Alba, Albelda, Parejo, Pablo Hernández, Piatti o Bernat, Jonas, and Soldado. Club Atlético Osasuna: Andrés Fernández, Marc Bertrán, Lolo, Roversio, Damiá, Puñal, Nekounam, Cejudo, Lamah, Raúl García, and Nino. Finally, I want to say that I will also support another team at the same time Osasuna play against Valencia. I keep an eye on the monitor to watch on TV the confrontation between Athletic from Bilbao and that team which is supposed to win the actual League. Aupa Athletic, and I hope Ronaldo lose the pichichi this week. Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!

Osasuna-Valencia, another morning game!

Good evening, dear Osasunists!I could not write my weekly article before the match this morning! I was invited to go to the stadium by a friend in the last minute and I had no time for this. So, now I am writing the summary of the game. It was supposed to be a difficult rival for Osasuna, as they arrived at the Reyno with the balance of being third in La Liga and only two lost games and a draw, but after the kickoff Valencia players disappeared! The image of Osasuna in their stadium was under suspiction after the match against Racing and their second consecutive lost game home, if we include the Copa del Rey match against Barça. But the midfield and its control was for Osasuna against Valencia for the first 20 minutes of the game, due to the intensity of Osasuna players and, perhaps, the match Valencia had to play against Levante last Thursday! I think that the main problem of Emery is the defense. They played very badly this morning!None seemed to be of the category for that team and its position. But the second half was the moment when the goalkeeper appeared and did two or three good saves for his team. Lekic, Raul and Nekouman had some good opportunities to score before the key minute of the game, just five minutes before the final whistle! It was the minute 84, and Soldado, our loved "Gudari" caught a missed kick and scored in Osasuna's goal, leaving all of us completely mute and dizzy, as if we were knicked with a hard stick! Osasuna had been playing a good football and controlled the game for almost most of the match, but an isolated action could throw away a hard working week in Tajonar and finish the first leg of La Liga with some doubts. Soldado has shown that if Villa is out due to injure reasons, he is a good chance for Del Bosque for the European Championship this summer. He has scored his 10th goal so far. Fortunately, the match wasn't over and Osasuna, with the help of their supporters, all of us, pushed up to the end. Albelda, who I believe he should think of retiring this year, committed a fault and gained a red card from the worst referee I have ever seen in El Sadar: Teixeira! We were lucky after the free kick, as Lolo was free of mark and pushed the ball to score the draw of this morning game! It was the unfair final result of the game. I say it was unfair, as the only team that showed interest to win the game was Osasuna and most of the occasion were of their players. It was only the luck and the quality of a unique player, Soldado, what Valencia F.C. has left in El Reyno de Navarra this morning! Finally, I must say that most players in Osasuna played very well this morning, but it seems clear that Mendilibar mustn't misuse Patxi Puñal and it was a pity that he was unable to play because of his yellow cards against Racing. Neko, Puñal and Raul Garcia distribute the game and make Lekic or Nino get the ball and have good occasions in front of the rival goalkeeper! Gora Osasuna!Aupa Rojillos!
Osasuna 1 Valencia 0 por jordixana

Osasuna-Valencia, the final countdown again

Good afternoon, dear Osasunists! Tonight it's the beginning of the final countdown, again. Osasuna and Valencia F.C., the visitor team tonight, play the match after losing their last game the previous weekend. Perhaps, Valencia's defeat was more painful against Real Madrid, but the result for the final classification was worse for Osasuna.

Osasuna haven't won a match since their victory against Hercules in Alicante. After Saturday night football results, Osasuna need a victory if they want to avoid Second Division relegation ( Real Sociedad and Zaragoza won Barça and Real Madrid, unfortunately ). Valencia is on the third position in the classification with six comfortable points ahead over the fourth, Villareal. However, Emery's players must offer a better image to their supporters than the one against Mou's team.

At least we, Osasuna, play at home, at the Reyno de Navarra stadium, a key and fortress for our team, but not against important rivals like Barça, Atletico or Athletic. Nevertheless, we, Osasuna supporters must be with the team, the players and forget our different opinions with the chairman Izco and his men, that is important to cheer up our team, and we know that Valencia is very comfortable at our stadium and get points away from here!

Do not forget that a good players like Soldado will be the forward and enemy for Ricardo. We have good memories of his actions for Osasuna, but he is in the rival team tonight, and we must whistle the highest ever!!! And Pandiani - K.Sola must notice our support to kick the ball and get goals for Osasuna.

Gora Osasuna!Aupa Rojillos!

It was five years ago, against the same rival, but we need the same support!

Valencia C.F.-C.A. Osasuna, another Monday game

The weekend’s Primera Division action concludes with Valencia attempting to strengthen their push for a Champions League spot against Osasuna.

Going into the weekend, los Che sit one place behind Espanyol, who occupy the magic fourth spot, but the Mestalla outfit cannot hope to claim that prize from the Catalans immediately as there is a four point margin that first has to be bridged. Unai Emery’s men will hope to take the first steps to doing that on Monday.

Over the course of the last week, los Che have been faced with two very testing matches. The first came away to Real Madrid and was largely a disappointing experience as Valencia failed to test the defensive solidarity of the rocking Blancos. Emery opted for a defensive approach and would be punished with a 2-0 defeat, albeit suffering only after David Albelda had been rather harshly dismissed.

Better would follow against Manchester United in midweek, when a 1-1 draw was earned at Old Trafford. Again this would be a performance tinged with some disappointment as the Spaniards were ahead but could not hold on.

“I clearly believe that Valencia are able to compete with anyone and play well at any field, as seen in our performance in Manchester,” Emery explained to the media.

Los Rojillos are the challenge that has been next placed in front of los Che, so Emery’s words will again be put to the test.

Split Personality

Jose Antonio Camacho’s Osasuna side continue to be one-of the most two-faced in the league. A trip to the Reyno de Navarre is not a journey that many will relish, but equally hosting los Rojillos shouldn’t prove to be too problematic given that they’ve earned only one point from a possible 21 on the road.

Even los Rojillos’ terrific record at home wasn’t enough to worry Barcelona last weekend as the defending champions romped to a somewhat flattering 3-0 success, despite something of an odyssey trying to reach the ground. Camacho praised the attitude of his players during that encounter, hoping that they can display similar resilience in future encounters.

A trip to Valencia doesn’t promise a good deal for the Pamplona side, who were hammered 3-0 at the Mestalla last season. Camacho’s men weren’t a good deal better on the road last term, and failed to win a match on their travels apart from against the last four teams alphabetically in La Liga, who by some quirk of fate all went down against los Rojillos.

With a history of underachievement outside Pamplona, Osasuna cannot hope for too much against Valencia. Los Che can be erratic, and if their guests stumble into the kind of form that has seen them regularly impress at home then there is a slim chance of an upset.

Valencia-Osasuna, resurrection weekend?

 Hello dear supporters!
Today is Glory Sunday and match day too! Osasuna are playing against Valencia F.C. at Mestalla Stadium and a miracle is posible. After playing against Almeria F.C. at home, Osasuna is calmer with 42 points and at the doors of the desided 45-47 points, which seem to be the enough quantity to avoid relegation to Second Division.

The rival for this afternoon is a team which are still playing in the week. Valencia F.C. played against Atletico on Thursday at Mestalle in the Europe League and the final score was a draw : 2-2. The second part is next week and Valencia supporters seem to be more worried by this championship than the home League.
It is then a good opportunity to "fish" in a low favourable stadium. Unai Emeri, Valencia coach, can't play with players like Alexis, David Navarro, Mathieu, Miguel or Marchena, Bruno, Dealbert, Maduro and Jordi Alba will be conversed defenders.

The coach is wandering, as his supporters, if the Europe League match against Atletico is more important than to make sure to participate in next season Champions League with their third position in the actual Spanish League. So, Unai must decide wether to play with the same kickoff team as last Thursday or give opportunities to players like Joaquín for Pablo, or Vicente, Dominguez o Baraja for Silva, Villa, Mata or Fernandes. What a dilemma, isn't it? Camacho can't have a look to his bench as Emeri does.

Anyway, Osasuna can make a profit of all those Emeri's doubts. Camacho has his injuried players too, and among those is Juanfran, a good player who was in a very good physical condition and he always create many occasions. Monreal has had physical problems during the week, but he seems to be ready to play this afternoon.

On the other hand, Mestalla  hasn't been a suitable stadium to get points for Osasuna. Our team have lost the last five consecutive matches played in Valencia and we could only win twice in all our history. Thus, Valencia F.C. are making their stadium a strong fortress for all their rivals. They have won six out of seven matches at Mestalla and they only let a draw to lose two points.

Kickoff teams:
Valencia F.C. : Cesar, Alba, Bruno, Dealbert, Maduro, Fernandes, Banega, Mata, Silva, Joaquin, and Villa.
C.A. Osasuna: Ricardo, Monreal, Miguel Flaño, Sergio, Azpilicueta ( 100 matches in Osasuna ) , Vadocz, Nekounam, Camuñas, Calleja, Aranda and Walter Pandiani.
The referee is Mejuto Gonzalez. I hope he won't be thinking of his dreamed match: next Saturday Real Madrid-Barça.
Gora Osasuna! Aupa Rojillos!