Osasuna lost in El Sadar (21,985 spectators) 1-2 against Bruges in a clash in which the Belgians showed their experience in this type of match to get closer to the final phase of the Conference League in a tie that will be resolved next Thursday in the second leg.
Osasuna entered the game infected by a Sadar who from the beginning was overwhelming with great animation. The moment was not for less. The Navarrese were playing a European match again 16 years after the last occasion, a unique situation that they wanted to take advantage of from the first minute.
Chimy Ávila, starter after the controversy that arose as a result of his expulsion against Athletic, hooked the ball to the bounce early from the edge of the area with his left foot, but his shot went to the left of the goal defended by Simon Mignolet.
After the hydration break, a foul on Moi Gómez led to a yellow card for Mojica for protesting. Osasuna wanted to give it speed, but the boys led by Ronny Deila sought more pause, aware of the local danger.
Rubén García, quick of ideas, tried to surprise Mignolet, coming up short of celebrating a goal trying to hit the ball over the top. Those who touched the advantage were the visitors in the discount. De Cuyper had the first to his head to Vetlesen’s cross, but the left-back failed to give him the right direction.
The second part could not start worse. Olsen made it 0-1 in a play with some luck. The Dane took out the whip inside the area to punish Osasuna. The ball slipped between the post and the goalkeeper of the Pamplona team.
The offensive weight was local. Arnaiz and Budimir entered the field to gain presence and determination in the rival field. Bruges entrenched themselves well to try to close an unambitious game plan. The result was positive and Deila seemed to care little about the repeated waste of time from her team.
Everything could change with the goal in the 78th minute. Osasuna, true to his style of never giving up, found the prize of the goal. Moncayola served up a measured center that Chimy Ávila hunted through the sky to turn El Sadar upside down.
Fate wanted the joy to only last two minutes. From Cuyper, he shot the goal with a very strong cross shot to which Aitor gave no response.
Chimy Ávila disguised himself as Maradona to get away from up to three opponents before his shot was intercepted by an expeditious Boyata.
Finally, fortune did not smile on the locals and the squad led by Arrasate will be at stake for their future in Bruges in a week.
