Osasuna, next Thursday Blauw-Zwart's opponent in the playoff round of the UEFA Conference League, lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league this weekend. The visitors came out early 0-2 and held on to this thanks to a strong goalkeeper Simon.
After 20 minutes of play, the 0-2 was already on the scoreboard. The visitors' first goal came through Iñaki Williams; the striker broke free of his defender at a flank cross and kicked unstoppable into goal. Ten minutes later the second goal fell; Williams dribbled into the sixteen and reached Gorka Guruzeta at the first post who deviated the ball into goal. 'Los Rojilos' threatened in the first half through a lone Ruben Garcia who did not get past the goalkeeper, and Johan Mojica also inexplicably aimed over for an empty goal.
In the second half, Bilbao's goalkeeper kept his nets clean on a low header by David Garcia in the corner. Coach Jagoba Arrasate made some substitutions in the search for the tying goal. Even when the visitors were down to ten, goalkeeper Simon kept the zero on the scoreboard. The keeper saved a low shot from substitute Jose Arnaiz. At the other end, Bilbao striker Berenguer even left the 0-3. In the closing stages, a header by Ezequiel Avila was kept out of the goal. The same Avila picked up a red card in the closing stages of the match after a two-foot forward tackle.
After this loss at the home El Sadar, Osasuna remains in the middle of the standings with three points from two games. (KN)
CA Osasuna: Aitor Fernandez - Johan Mojica, David Garcia, Alejandro Catena, Ruben Pena - Aimar Oroz (74' Raul Garcia), Lucas Torro (60' Jose Arnaiz), Jon Moncayola - Moi Gomez (84' Pablo Ibanez), Ante Budimir, Ruben Garcia (60' Ezequiel Avila)
Goals: 11' Williams (0-1), 20' Guruzeta (0-2)