Preview: Osasuna-Depor

Only pride is at stake for Osasuna when they host Deportivo La Coruna, whose top-flight status will be preserved with a win on Sunday.

A heavy 7-1 defeat to Barcelona midweek made Osasuna the first club to be relegated from La Liga, and a summer of uncertainty awaits the Pamplonans, with a new Coach and President needed before a squad overhaul can take place.

“These are hard times for Osasuna, the squad and the club, but there are four games left and we have to show pride, professionalism, know-how and fight,” admitted interim Petar Vasijlevic.

“Depor are a complicated rival who, despite coming into the game with a considerable advantage, will try to achieve mathematical safety.”

Nonetheless, they have been boosted by the return of veteran defender Javier Flano, who has missed the past eight months with a serious knee injury.

Depor, meanwhile, have yet to confirm their place in the Primera next season after consecutive losses, the most recent of which was Wednesday’s 6-2 thrashing by Real Madrid.

However, they can make the former a reality with three points at El Sadar this weekend.

“First and foremost, we’re playing for survival, which is the most important thing, and after that, our self-esteem, the feeling of being good professionals, because we owe a lot to the Depor fans,” boss Pepe Mel said at a Press conference.

“The fans are right in what they demand of us. We owe a permanent debt to the fans.

“The 6-2? If I was a Depor fan, I’d have been annoyed and not because our opponents put six past us but because we didn’t bite until the last minute or have a shot until the 20th minute.”

Osasuna (probable): Sirigu; Bunuel, Oier, Steven, Fuentes; Clerc, Berenguer, Causic, Roberto Torres; Kodro, Sergio Leon

Injuries/suspensions: David Garcia (I) Digard (I) Imanol (doubtful) Miguel Flano (I) Riera (I) Loe (I) Riviere (I) Tano (I) Unai Garcia (I) Vujadinovic (I)

Deportivo La Coruna (probable): Lux; Juanfran Moreno, Arribas, Albentosa, Luisinho; Guilherme, Borges; Gama, Emre, Fajr; Andone

Injuries/suspensions: Joselu, Mosquera, Sidnei (all injured)

Referee: Hernandez Hernandez

Form guide: Osasuna (L D L W W) Depor (L L W L D)

Previous meeting: Depor 2-0 Osasuna

Kick-off time: 11:00 BST/12:00 CET

Tags Deportivo
La Liga - Club News