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Sportinglife - Osasuna produced a classic
smash-and-grab raid as two late goals gave the Pamplona club a shock victory
at Real Zaragoza on Sunday night.
Trailing to Diego Milito's first-half opener, Osasuna were second best for
long periods against a side who would have moved back up to fourth with a
win.
That eventuality seemed on the cards until eight minutes from time when Raul
Garcia headed in David Lopez's corner, although the final touch appeared to
come off home skipper Gabriel Milito.
Zaragoza also contributed to their downfall for the 90th-minute winner.
A swift counter-attack saw Garcia play the ball inside the full back for
Lopez and his cross, which was intended for Pierre Webo, was turned into his
own net by the unfortunate Leonardo Ponzio.
Zaragoza had taken 16 out of a possible 18 points at their La Romareda
stadium this season prior to Sunday and started with the confidence of a
team on a good run.
For all their possession, though, visiting keeper Ricardo had little to do.
Argentinian playmaker Andres D'Alessandro had Osasuna's best chance of the
opening quarter of an hour but, after some neat build up play, he blasted
high and wide from the edge of the area.
The home fans did have something to cheer after 19 minutes, however, when
Sergio Garcia played in Diego Milito with a neat pass and the striker
chipped the ball over the advancing Ricardo.
Zaragoza were well on top at this point and Garcia and Diego Milito both had
efforts on goal, the former going wide and the latter blocked by Osasuna
defender Jose Josetxo.
Osasuna finally registered an effort on goal at the start of the second
half, Francisco Punal shooting wide from 12 yards.
It wasn't really an effort which prompted a shift in momentum as Zaragoza
continued to dominate.
However, they wasted a wonderful chance to extend their lead after 67
minutes.
Garcia was played in but, one-on-one with Ricardo, he saw his shot saved by
the Portuguese keeper.
Diego Milito also shot wide when he ought to have hit the target with 18
minutes to go.
It proved to be a costly miss as Osasuna hit back in the closing stages.
Garcia got up well to divert Lopez's delivery into the box goalwards but
home keeper Cesar Sanchez will no doubt claim the final touch off the curly
head of Gabriel Milito prevented him from keeping it out.
The winner was a classic counter-attack.
Pouring forward from a Zaragoza corner, Osasuna caught the hosts on the hop
to register their fourth win of the season.
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