La Liga Preview: Athletic Bilbao - Osasuna

Athletic will fancy their chances of bouncing back after a disappointing midweek showing with a positive result against their guests from Pamplona...

Dec 18, 2009 5:00:00 PM

More On :  Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao vs Osasuna
Fernando Llorente, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal (MARCA)
Kick-Off: Saturday, December 19, 2009. 18:00 CET
San Mames, Bilbao

Back To Business

Wednesday night brought with it a nasty shock for Athletic Bilbao, a side usually so obstinate and awkward to beat at their San Mames home. Faced with Werder Bremen in the Europa League, Joaquin Caparros watched as his side turned in something of a lacklustre display as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat against the German outfit, a result that means the Spaniards only qualify from the pool stage in second place.
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The margin of victory may have flattered the visitors, but there could be little doubt that they fully merited their win, showing a good deal more urgency than their hosts, who, for the most part, were happy to let the game pass them by. Though there was more tempo to the play of the home team after the interval, their performance was characterised by poor decision-making and an apparent lack of confidence in front of goal.

Such a showing was by no means typical of Athletic in recent weeks. Goals have generally flowed fairly readily for the Basque outfit, who have been going well in the Primera Division, defeating Real Zaragoza 2-1 last weekend, the goals coming from San Jose and Susaeta.

Now seventh in the Spanish top flight, los Leones must aim to put their European disappointment to one side and refocus on a Liga campaign that is thus far wandering along impressively.  

Looking For Comfort

Edged 1-0 by Mallorca last weekend, Pamplona outfit Osasuna have specialised somewhat in no-thrills football in recent weeks. The sum total of goals in their last three encounters is only four, while those games have ended in a positive, a negative and a neutral outcome.

This pattern is somewhat representative of their season to date, as it has never really gathered any momentum, always threatening to tumble onto the negative side of the fence.

Defeat last weekend against in-form Mallorca was certainly no disgrace, while the four points they picked up previously against Zaragoza (1-0 away from home) and Malaga (1-1, again on the road), suggest comfortable mid-table form.

There is no danger of Osasuna dropping into the teeth of the relegation dogfight prior to Christmas, but they could end the year dangerously close to problems as they boast only four points more than Zaragoza, who are the top-placed team in the red zone.

One of the lowest scoring teams in La Liga, Jose Antonio Camacho’s men, who finished 14th last season, also boast one of the meanest defences. Having leaked only 17 goals in their first 14 matches of the campaign, they boast a record comparable to the sides battling for the fourth Champions League spot, and if they can sneak the opening goal in the Basque Country, they may be able to cling on.

FORM GUIDE

Athletic

LOST 3-0 (h) Werder Bremen (Europa League, December 17)

WON 2-1 (a) Real Zaragoza (La Liga, December 12)

LOST 2-1 (h) Valencia (La Liga, December 6)

WON 3-0 (a) Austria Vienna (Europa League, December 3)

WON 4-1 (a) Almeria (La Liga, November 29)

Osasuna

LOST 1-0 (h) Mallorca (La Liga, December 13)

DREW 1-1 (a) Malaga (La Liga, December 6)

WON 1-0 (a) Real Zaragoza (La Liga, November 29)

LOST 3-1 (h) Valencia (La Liga, November 22)

WON 1-0 (h) Xerez (Copa del Rey, November 10)

TEAM NEWS

Athletic

It was a team of young and fringe players that faced Werder and Joaquin Caparros will promptly rotate his strongest players back into the fold.

Ion Velez has undergone surgery to his left ankle so will not be available for this game. Koikili is no longer suspended but it is supposed that a back problem will prevent him from featuring this weekend. Furthermore, Aitor Ocio and Inaki Munoz remain problems, while Iban Zubiaurre is expected to return in February.

Aurtenexe, who debuted in midweek, will undergo shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for many weeks.

Carlos Gurpegui, Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora, Fernando Llorente and Andoni Iraola have all trained normally and are expected to start.

Fran Yeste made his return from a knee problem in midweek and could potentially take a place in the starting XI, though he was withdrawn prior to full-time.

Amorebieta and Susaeta are both suspended.

Probable Starting XI: Iraizoz; Iraola, Ustaritz, San Jose, Castillo; Orbaiz, Gurpegi, Javi Martinez, Etxeberria; Toquero, Llorente

Osasuna

Snow forced Osasuna to train indoors on Thursday. Walter Pandiani, Nacho Monreal and Ludovic Delporte are all still absent, while an adductor injury to Carlos Aranda will keep him out. Jorge Galan has been tipped to take the latter’s place in the offence.

Probable Starting XI: Ricardo; Azpilicueta, Sergio, Josetxo, Oier; Juanfran, Nekounam, Punal, Camunas; Galan, Masoud

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Athletic

Although he isn’t likely to start, Iker Muniain is providing a real talking point. The striker, who will celebrate his 17th birthday on matchday, has proven a real livewire whenever he has been given the opportunity to take to the field in recent weeks. He sparkled from the bench against Zaragoza and impressed from the start against Werder. He will hope for some pitch-time to grab a special birthday present for himself.

Osasuna

One of the most highly-rated young Spanish talents, right-back Cesar Azpilicueta is reportedly being courted by Premier League club Arsenal with a view to moving to the Emirates Stadium. The talented 20-year-old seems set to stay put until the summer, but he will not allow his form to relent. Expect another strong performance from the Pamplona-born starlet, who already has over 50 Liga showings to his name.

PREDICTION

Though Osasuna don’t tend to concede too often, Athletic are no slouches in front of goal. They will want to remind fans that it was largely a second string who were on display in midweek, and they should have the ability to secure victory in front of their own supporters.

Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Osasuna

Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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