Osasuna make Athletic derby a final

Osasuna are treating their home meeting with Athletic as a final. Jagoba Arrasate, who returned to the dugout on October 12 after Ramis’s departure, is looking for a response from his side against Athletic. In Iruña, the fixture is being presented as the first final of the season.

Arrasate’s return began with a 2-0 win over Racing at El Sadar. Osasuna have since lost their last two matches, both away from home: 2-0 against Sevilla, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Deportivo on Monday. In that latest match, the Navarre side went ahead through Budimir in the 32nd minute. Mario Soriano equalised in the 64th, before Nsongo scored Deportivo’s winner in the 87th.

“That was a very tough defeat for us,” the coach acknowledged. He also urged his players to respond rather than dwell on the loss: “We have to turn things around now. On Saturday we have a derby against Athletic at home, in front of our supporters, and there is no point in lamenting. We have to hold on to that.” The importance attached to Athletic’s visit reflects Osasuna’s desire to bounce back. Arrasate is also due to take the home dugout at San Mamés on the 14th as coach of Euskal Selekzioa.

The Liga standings add another perspective to the fixture. Sevilla are sixth on 17 points after 11 matches, while Athletic are seventh on 15 points from 10 games. Sevilla have five wins, two draws and four defeats, with 17 goals scored and 19 conceded. Athletic have four wins, three draws and three defeats, scoring 14 and conceding 10. The sides are therefore two points apart, although Sevilla have played one more match.

Their recent form also differs: in their last five Liga matches, Sevilla have won once, drawn once and lost three times. Athletic have won twice, drawn twice and lost once. For Osasuna, the derby comes after consecutive defeats and offers an immediate chance to respond in front of their supporters.