Osasuna-Malaga, a milestone game for Copa del Rey

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Good evening, dear Osasunists!Osasuna plays against Malaga the second round of 1/16 Copa del Rey tournament at El Sadar, after their draw (3-3) at La Rosaleda, which was a complete surprise for me when at the beginning of the second half, Osasuns was losing 3-0 and everything appeared to be lost and their participation in Copa del Rey almost over.

The confrontation against Malaga is at the best moment for Osasuna, as they also got another important result against Real Madrid on Saturday at El Sadar. But it is also true that it may be a misleading scoring because our players musn't be confident on their tiny advantage with their goals. One goal will be the difference between glory and defeat.

The game will be also historic, individually and for the club itself. The Great Captain,Patxi Puñal, is about to increase his figures in the club. The match against Malaga in Copa will be his 500th in Osasuna, a minestone in the club. On the negative side, Raoul Loe, Sisi, Nino and De las Cuevas can't play the game as the first is sanctioned and the rest are injured. Besides, the club plays the match 1000 at El Sadar this evening, another milestone.

Patxi Puñal, who has been sanctioned for a game after seeing a direct red card against Valencia, is going to play a record match this evening, but he complains that after so many years in First Divison he hasn't got much respect by the referees. He is 38 years old and has been sanctioned five times in his career, but he doesn't consider himself a rude violent player and Osasuna players either. 

Probable Kickoff teams:
Osasuna: Riesgo; Damiá, Flaño, Oier, Joan Oril; Silva, Puñal; José García, Torres, Cejudo; Manuel Onwu.
Málaga: Caballero; Gámez, Angeleri, Weligton, Antunes; Duda, Tissone, Darder, Eliseu; Portillo, Santa Cruz.

Apart from the sport issue, Osasuna is on the news because the European Commision has raised an official investigation against seven Spanish Football Clubs on illegal economical aids by the Spanish government. The CLUBS are : Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Valencia, Hércules and Elche.

We must bear in mind that Osasuna with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletic Club de Bilbao are the only NOT limited companies , S.A. , and they are ruled by their members and not by external companies, and they have different budget rules than the rest, therefore the UE think they may take financial advantage.

GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!

Osasuna-Betis, a special match for Puñal

Good evening, dear Osasunists! Today Real Betis Balompie Club is visiting EL Sadar to play against our team Osasuna. Every match is historical, as it enters in the statistics of the club in Pamplona, but this one is special for two people, one is already retires, and the other may go into HISTORY, with capital letters, of OSASUNA. Echeverría, Echeve for Osasuna supporters, is the player with more matches played in Osasuna history, but he will be beat on Sunday by our actual local hero: Patxi Puñal. Etxebe says: " I always thought that record would be difficult to beat", as fidelity to a club nowadays is unusual, he adds. But I think he is happy that it will be another football player from Navarra the one to beat his record. His number 7 was reference for many other players until 1987, when he decided to retire and become the assistant of the former coach Pedro Mari Zabalza. Bear in mind, that after 25 years that record will be beaten and now there are more footnall games than that time. Echeverría played 14 seasons and he says that the idea of belonging and love to the colours must be overprotected in Osasuna! And he emphatizes that children must learn from Puñal's attitudes and not from other football stars from Madrid or Barcelona. "It's better to imitate Patxi than other players", he says. Patxi Puñal is a model of footballer for Echeverría. Patxi is a high level player, he is a good support for Mendilibar in the field, he reflects quietness and order for the rest of his clubmates. The player from Huarte is 37 years old and he is playing his 464 match against Betis and he will become the player with more games in Osasuna. The number 10 will beat number 7, "Puñi" will beat "Etxebe"! Osasuna play against Betis at El Sadar on Sunday at 19.45 ( another change in timetables from FEF, probably because TV channels orders ), and we hope Puñal's mates will want to celebrate with a victory the record of our hero. GORA OSASUNA!AUPA ROJILLOS!