Match Preview: Villarreal vs Osasuna

On loan Arsenal forward Carlos Vela is in action on Sunday in La Liga with loan club CA Osasuna Pamplona against a very strong  Villarreal side in the province Castellon in a another tough battle.

Carlos Vela will start up front with Spanish striker Kike Sola or as a winger with only one striker. Carlos impressed in the last match against Atletico Madrid with a outstanding performance as he scored one goal and created one for Kike Sola.

After the brilliant performance from Osasuna against Atletico Madrid, Jose Angel Ziganda will see this game as another very important step on the way to avoid relegation for the club, if the team pick up all three points on Sunday.

Villarreal, have two former Gunners in their ranks, Robert Pires and Pascal Cygan, they are currently 3rd in the league table and of course the favourites to keep the three points at home.

Vela’s side are currently 13th with 29 points with Villarreal currently on Champions League position 3rd with 46 points so the side from coach Manuel Pellegrini is 17 points ahead of the side from the young Mexican whizkid, and firm favourites to turn over the away side on Sunday and collect all three points.

Kickoff at Estadio El Madrigal in Villarreal is on Sunday 2th of March 7pm (CET) and 6pm English time.

The Osasunistas must travel without center back Miguel Flano, Iran international Javad Nekounam and Swiss international Xavier Margairaz. Cape Verde striker Eduardo Dady is available after his suspension against Atletico Madrid.

The team will fly on Saturday from Airport Pamplona to Valencia with a charter plane. The arrival at Airport Valencia is planned at 7pm (CET). Then the team drive with the team-bus to the Hotel Villarreal Palace in Villarreal where they will check in for the night.

Hotel Villareal Palace, picture from TUI

Possible Squad

Ricardo - Azpilicueta, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Monreal - Javi Garcia, Punal, Juanfran, Plasil - Vela, Kike Sola

Subs: Elia, Javier Flano, Astudillo, Delporte, Hector Font, Dady, Portillo

The 18 man squad will be announced tomorrow by coach Jose Angel Ziganda for the trip to Villareal!

Article by - A.Zimmerman

Carlos: I’m still learning

On loan Arsenal player Carlos Vela made a outstanding performance for Osasuna against Atletico Madrid, the side from former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes, but the young mexican Arsenal prospect knows that he is is still learning at Osasuna and has a long way to go in his development. Carlos spoke also about Javier Aguirre, the mexican coach of Atletico Madrid and the next match with his loan club Osasuna away against Villareal.

Carlos said:“I lack everything! “I still have a lot to learn. I’m only 18 and I’m not someone who says I know it all.
“I just want to play. I am learning in every game I participate in. It’s good for me.”"At 18 I don’t need to hear that I’m a phenomenon, a ‘crack’ - it’s not the case.”I’m still growing. Every game sees my gain experience and learn things, and I see that in all aspects.”

About Javier Aguirre

“After the match I had the pleasure of talking to him, which I’d already wanted to do.”"I was pleased to talk with him. He said that I’d do well here, and he said that he liked my play, but I don’t know.”

About Villareal 

“Playing against such teams gives you more motivation because of their quality. There is a good chance to win there”

Article by - A.Zimmermann

Osasuna doesn’t let go Carlos to national team

On loan Arsenal player Carlos Vela has admitted in his post match interview after the match against Atletico Madrid, that his loan club CA Osasuna Pamplona does not let him go to join the olympic mexican selecion (mexican national team for olympic Games) for the pre olympic tournament from 2-13 April 2008 at Mexico (including USA, Jamaica, Canada, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago), because the club is in a very difficult situation to avoid relegation and need every player.

Carlos said: “It is a bad moment, Osasuna does not let me go with the mexican selecion, I had liked to go with the national team,but here we are going to have difficult moments and we need of all players ”.

exclusive on Carlos Vela News!!!

Article by - A.Zimmermann

Osasuna Victory Over Atletico Madrid

On loan Arsenal player Carlos Vela started on the left wing in Osasuna’s important victory over the strong side of Atletico Madrid in the evening kick off at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra. 18000 visitors at the stadium could saw a outstanding performance from the mexican whizkid. Carlos assisted a goal by Kike Sola in the opening minute before he give Osasuna 5 minutes later a second. A late goal in the second half from substitute Hector Font finished the match. The win gives the home team three crucial points in the fight to stay in spain’s top league La Liga.

The game started with a shocking lead for Osasuna as Carlos Vela sent a great ball through the defence for Kike Sola and he shot with his left foot the ball into the bottom of the right corner. 5 minutes later the next shock for Javier Aguirre’s side came as Jaroslav Plasil delivered Carlos and he passed goalkeeper Abbiati with a cool left footed finish trough the legs. A right footed effort in minute 10 from Carlos was blocked by the defense.

After 11 minutes Fabiano Eller was booked for a vicious looking challenge on Carlos Vela and most of the people in the stadium thought he deserved more than the yellow card.

Osasuna had the chance to score the third goal before uruguay international Diego Forlan scored in minute 26 the 2:1 with a hard right footed effort into the top of the left corner assisted by Antonio Lopez. 7 Minutes later a right footed shot from outside the box from Nacho Monreal left wide and high after a good delivery from Carlos Vela.

Nearly halftime a left footed effort from Carlos from outside the box was saved by italian goalkeeper Christian Abbiati in the bottom of the right corner. With a halftime score of 2:1 for Osasuna went both teams back into the changing rooms.

After halftime first chance had Osasuna as Carlos played the ball to Javi Garcia and he fired a righ footer into the bottom of the left corner , but the ball was saved by Abbiati. 5 minutes later in minute 59 had Javi Garcia a header chance after a great cross from Jaroslav Plasil to give Osasuna back the two goal lead.

Later Atletico Madrid looked for an equaliser as Luis Garcia and Jose Antonio Reyes brought saves out of Ricardo before Jurado smashed a header of the bar.

The match was finished as Kike Sola left the Atletico defender’s and delivered substitute Hector Font and he passed Abbiati with a right footed shot and give Osasuna the crucial three points.

Carlos got his chance from coach Jose Angel Ziganda for standing ovations from the supporters as he was substituted in minute 89 by Ludovic Delporte after his best performance of the season for his loan club Osasuna.

Next up for the Osasunistas in the spanish La Liga is a away match against Villareal!

Carlos post match interview:

Carlos said: “So keep this good line and win next week. Today we have been very good the first minutes, we could take advantage of the opportunities and that was the key to win ”. He recognizes that he questioned in the match  about the first goal: “I questioned pulling or it happening, but here one slave trade of winning and Kike was better positioned and I tell it to him. It is always necessary to take the best decision”.

exclusive on Carlos Vela News!!!

Osasuna Lineup:

Ricardo, Cruchaga, Garcia, Josetxo, Monreal, Azpilicueta, Juanfran (Hector Font 72′), Plasil , Punal, Vela (Delporte 89′), Kike Sola (Pandiani 79′)

Goals: 1:0 Kike Sola 1′ (Vela), 2:0 Carlos Vela 5′ (Plasil), 2:1 Diego Forlan 26′ (Antonio Lopez), 3:1 Hector Font 76′ (Sola)

Attendance: 18000

Article by -  A.Zimmermann

Osasuna’s 18 Man Squad Announced

Picture from Navarra Sport 

The official site of CA Osasuna have named the squad for the important home battle for Osasuna against Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening in Pamplona,  coach Jose Angel Ziganda has included Carlos Vela in the 18 man squad for the match at Estadio Reyno de Navarra. Carlos will start on the left wing with only one striker Kike Sola. The spanish striker had a late fitness test on saturday morning and passed it. Cape Verde striker Eduardo Dady cannot feature in this match, he is suspended with the 5th yellow card. 

The 18 man squad in full 

Goalkeeper: Elia, Ricardo

Defender: Monreal, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Izquierdo

Midfielder: Punal, Delporte, Hector Font, Juanfran, Azpilicueta, Plasil, Javi Garcia, Astudillo

Strikers: Kike Sola, Portillo, Vela, Pandiani

Article by - A.Zimmermann

Match Preview: Osasuna vs Atletico

On loan Arsenal player Carlos Vela are in action on Sunday in the Spanish league La Liga with his club CA Osasuna Pamplona against the very strong side of Atletico Madrid at home in a very crucial matchup. Carlos Vela will start up front with Cape Verde striker Eduardo Dady or as a winger with only one striker. 

After the defeat against UD Levante in Valencia last weekend is the team from Jose Angel Ziganda under pressure to pick up all three points on Sunday, to avoid relegation for the club.

Atletico Madrid, the team from former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes are currently on 4th position of the league table and of course the favourites to travel back with three points in the bag.

Vela’s side are currently 17th with 26 points with Atletico Madrid actually on Champions League qualifying position 4th with 41 points so Atletico Madrid is 15 points ahead of the side from the young mexican whizkid, and firm favourites to turn over the home side on Sunday and collect all three points.

Kickoff at Estadio Reyno de Navarra in Pamplona is on Sunday 24th of February 5pm (CET) and 4pm English time.

The Osasunistas must do about injuries without center back Miguel Flano, Iran international Javad Nekounam and spanish striker Kike Sola.

Possible Lineups

Osasuna: Ricardo - Azpilicueta, Cruchaga, Josetxo, Monreal - Javi Garcia, Punal, Juanfran, Plasil - Vela, Dady

Subs:  Elia, Javier Flano, Astudillo, Delporte, Hector Font, Pandiani,

Atletico: Abbiati - Antonio Lopez, Pablo, Eller, Pernia - Jurado, Cleber Santana, Maxi Rodriguez, Luis Garcia - Aguero, Forlan

Subs: Falcon, Cesar, Dominguez, Miquel, Reyes, Mista  

Referee: Álvarez Izquierdo

The 18 man named squad for the battle against Atletico will be announced by Jose Angel Ziganda tomorrow!

Article by - A.Zimmermann