Carlos Vela Scouting Report – Osasuna 0-3 Valencia

Carlos Vela played his final away game as an Osasuna player, before he rejoins Arsenal in the summer as they travelled to the Estadio Mestalla to take on troubled Valencia.

Young Guns has been following Carlos’s progress, as well as all our other players currently on loan, you can read a report on how Vela performed against Valencia below.

For other scouting reports on Carlos and other loanees visit our Loan Players section.

Ricardo
Azpilicueta – Miguel Flano – Cruchaga – Monreal
Punal – Astudillo
Juanfran – Plasil – C. Vela
Kike Sola

Subs – Elia, – Dady, – J.Flano, – Font, – Portillo, – Josetxo, Nekounam.

Osasuna have started their fixtures in an impressive nature this season, however Valencia as the home team started with the early possession, Francisco Juanfran tried to get his side going but clattering in to David Silva, for an early free kick chance.

Francisco Puñal then tried to play Juanfran over the top, but the offside flag stopped the attack. Jaroslav Plasil then tried exactly the same thing, and with the same result. This time Azpilicueta was offside.

Valencia were keen to step up and strike and early blow, with Villa forcing Azpilicueta to put the ball behind for a corner, it was cleared and as Osasuna tried to break Vela was kicked down by Raul Albiol for another free kick.

Joaquin then forced Carlos who was backtracking to help his defence out, to put the ball behind for another corner, which was subsequently cleared. Then came controversy as a penalty was given, Ricardo pulled down Villa and the referee Francisco Ontanaya López pointed to the spot.

Ricardo was sent to the stands, meaning Osasuna now had to battle on without their goalkeeper. Coach Jose Angel Ziganda called the replacement stopper from the dugout and made a change.

Francisco Juanfran > Elia (19)

David Villa stepped up, and converted with deadly accuracy to give Valencia a 20th minutes lead, Vela and his team would now face a huge battle to turn them over and recover all three points.

Monreal returning to the side after suspension fouled Joaquín, who took the free kick himself but Carlos Marchena was punished for climbing. Osasuna then fired back in to life and looked for an instant reply.

Francisco Puñal cut inside and unleashed a powerful drive from 25 yards, but it flew high and over the bar. Carlos Marchena then picked David Villa out, his left footed shot was well saved by sub keeper Elia.

Valencia were pushing for a second, Vela had now dropped back and was playing almost as a left winger back, he then put Joaquín’s cross out for another corner.

As the half ticked down Osasuna were struggling to adapt being down to 10 men, however they were willing to try and move the ball around. Vela’s addition to the side means they have pace, skills, energy and a never say die attitude.

Vela would then try to bring his side back level, he took control on the half way line and raced forward at pace, only a foul by skipper Rubén Baraja stopped the Mexican from running riot. Martin Astudillo took charge of the free kick and his left footed drive just went wide of the right hand post.

It would prove to be the final action of a difficult first half, for Carlos and his Osasuna side.

Half Time – Valencia 1-0 Osasuna

Valencia started the second half in an offensive manner, Cesar Cruchaga put the ball behind for another corner to the home side. But it was cleared again to Vela who was in charge of breaking away, as he took control of the clearance, the linesman judged that the 19 year old used his hand.

The frustration on the face of Vela was obvious, as he felt nothing had gone the way of his team. But Things were about to get even worse for Osasuna, as Valencia bagged the vital second goal.

Cruchaga gave away a free kick in a dangerous area, David Villa played the ball to Mata on the edge of the box, he turned and smashed a left footed effort beyond the visiting goalkeeper Elia to double the lead.

The difficult lesson of a relegation dogfight did not faze Vela who played with pride and determination, he took control of the ball bounced off a challenge and tried to play Kike Sola in, but yet again the offside flag came to Valencia’s rescue.

The end to end play would continue as the home side forced two corners, the second of which was delivered by David Silva, he picked out Rubén Baraja who unleashed a left footed shot but he dragged it wide.

David Villa would then try his luck but brave Osasuna defended doggedly throughout. Osasuna felt the best chance of a goal would be hit it long and hope Vela can feed of the knock downs. So 6 foot 3 striker Eduardo Dady came from the bench.

Eduardo Dady > Kike Sola (60)

Next it would be Osasuna who would use the offside law to their advantage as they caught both Mata and David Villa on the wrong side in successive attacks.

The inclusion of Dady offered a physical, more powerful option for the away side, and after being picked out by Vela he chested the ball down, but crashed the effort high and over. With 20 minutes left Coach Ziganda made his final change.

Javad Nekounam > Francisco Puñal (70)

This final change meant Carlos Vela would complete the full 90 minutes, showing not only that his manager has faith in him, but that he has fully shaken off his recent thigh injury.

Carlos Vela then forced Joaquín, to put the ball out for a corner. It found its way out to Cesar Cruchaga his drive was gathered in Santiago Canizares, who made his first start in 5 months between the Mestalla sticks.

Valencia brought Vicente on for the tiring Mata, as they pushed for the third goal to finish the game and guarantee themselves a place in La Liga next season. Joaquín then ran at Vela who was forced to back track, his inexperience showed as he clipped the Spaniard down for another free kick.

Joaquín took it himself and picked out Miguel who blazed over with a wild right foot shot. David Villa had the next chance, after being picked out by David Silva but the diminutive forward shot wide.

Then came a moment all Arsenal fans will have enjoyed, as skipper Rubén Baraja was replaced by former Gunner Edu for the final 8 minutes.

By now Osasuna had been run ragged, and were holding on after clearing two free kicks from Silva. The final blow would be dealt by the impressive Joaquín. Dady was caught in possession and Valencia broke with deadly consequences.

Joaquín cut inside from the wing and drilled home the third and final goal on 83 minutes. Disappointing and a little harsh on Osasuna who had battled hard, but were always up against it with the quality the home side possessed.

Azpilicueta was then lucky to remain on the pitch, after a poor tackle on Vicente with just minutes left, he was shown a yellow card despite protests from Vela and his team mates. Carlos Marchena then took matters in to his own hands and as things started to heat up he was booked, for a late tackle on Monreal.

Vela’s last action of the game was to be kicked by the fore mentioned Edu, but the free kick was wasted and it finished 3-0.

Full Time – Valencia 3-0 Osasuna

Goals:

David Villa (Pen) (20)
Juan Mata (51)
Joaquín (81)

Assessment Of Vela’s Performance

Overall Carlos performed well, he had little support and going down to 10 men was harsh on Osasuna. But his never-say-die attitude and willingness to run all day for the team was impressive. His creative flair would be more appreciated when he lines up with better players.

Another solid 90 minutes for Vela, and another step in his development. His final game as an Osasuna will be one to remember, as they host Real Madrid.

For all the latest News/Views and Opinion be sure to visit our friends over at Carlos Vela News.

Arsenal Other Loanees.

Jay Simpson scored yesterday for Millwall, Kieran Gibbs played the last game of his loan spell, read about both games Here.

Fran Merida, Pedro Botelho and Mark Randall are all injured and did not feature for their clubs this weekend.

Article By – J.Sanderson