Arsenals Loanees – Vela, Merida & P.Botelho All Feature

Carlos Vela – Osasuna 2-1 Real Murcia

This time next year Carlos Vela will be planning his summer break probably with his family back in his native Mexico. However whilst his future team mates ended there season this afternoon, Vela is on a mission to help his loan club Osasuna avoid relegation from La Liga.

Despite being a regular for most of the season, coach Jose Angel Ziganda felt his side have gone stale in recent weeks with performances which has been his team slip deep into danger. He freshened things up during the defeat to Mallorca in midweek, with Vela dropping to the bench. Ziganda kept faith in his charges ahead of this evening’s game, which meant Carlos was again benched.

The theme of Osasuna’s fixtures this term has been their fantatic starts to games, that continued again against Murcia but this time it came a reward. Francisco Puñal’s cross was headed home by Vela’s good friend Eduardo Dady. The giant Cape Verde striker rose highest to meet the cross and give his side the lead inside two minutes.

Shellshocked Murcia were nearly 2-0 down three minutes later, but Francisco Juanfran’s shot flew over the bar. Murcia then commited several fouls which resulted in Alvaro Mejia being booked after a late tackle on Jaroslav Plasil. Osasuna had a taste for it now and the lanky forward Dady nearly helped himself to a second as he met Azpilicueta’s cross, but his effort went wide.

Real Murcia then hit back when reported Arsenal target Dani Aquino shot over, before having one charged down by Josetxo. Then former Chelsea man Enrique De Lucas worked the home keeper Ricardo with his left footed curler, before Mejia’s saw his effort blocked. The game was a entertaining yet nurvous encouter which nearly swung sharply in favour of Osasuna as two shots from Walter Pandiani went close, but eventually wide. It would prove to be the final action of the half, and so far so good for Vela and his team. But twice in recent weeks they have thrown away one goal leads and lost 2-1.

Half Time – Osasuna 1-0 Real Murcia

With Walter Pandiani picking up an injury it seemed Vela’s services would be called on, however Ziganda went for experience and brought on former Newcastle winger Hugo Viana. It seems La Liga’s relegation places will be filled by one of Osasuna or Recreativo De Huelva. News came through that they were 2-0 up over Almeria, meaning a win was a must.

The half time sub Hugo Viana showed why Ziganda brought him on, as he found space neatly but couldn’t control Dady’s headed pass and blazed over. The next 10 minutes were dogged by fouls and free kicks as both sides struggled to get into gear. News then came through that Recreativo had gone down to 10 men, and Osasuna took full advantage and scored the crucial second goal.

Punal’s free kick found Francisco Juanfran in space, he cut across the ball smashing it home with his right foot. A vital goal for the home side and one which keeps them level with Recreativo. But they would still be in the relegation places as goal difference is not counted in Spain.

Viana was starting to run the show, and after being just caught offside following a through ball, he made up for it by finding Dady’s head from a free kick. But the powerful striker failed to control and it was cleared. Having been kicked to pieces, Jaroslav Plasil was replaced on 63 minutes with Carlos Vela coming into the action.

Vela saw little of the ball in a midfield battle, but when given the chance he looked fresh and after racing forward he gave the ball to Hugo Viana who volleyed high and wide. Murcia tried to work a way back into the game with Paco Peña and Fernando Baiano going close, but as time ticked away the points seemed in the bag for Osasuna.

After storming away Carlos was clipped down by Abel for a free kick. Osasuna used it as a chance to keep the ball and run the clock down. Javad Nekounam came on to waste more time. However there was time for a late shock as sub Fernando Baiano bundled the ball over the line deep into stoppage time.

The referee put the whistle to his lips and blew for full time. Three hard worked and vital points in the battle to beat the drop. Vela is proving he can be a super impact player from the bench.

Full Time Osasuna 2-1 Real Murcia

Fran Merida Perez – Real Sociedad 2-2 Cadiz

After shaking off a small injury which has restricted Merida in the past two weeks, Fran was restored to Real Sociedad’s starting line up for their fixture against lowly Cadiz. Diaz de Cerio put Sociedad ahead with a goal that looked like it had put their promotion push back on track, before Dani equalised after half time.

Cadiz played better than there League position suggested, and snatched the lead through Natalio. But when your down near the bottom, things often do not go your way and that was the case as Delibasic scored the vital equaliser for Sociedad nine minutes from time.

Fran played 73 minutes before being replaced by Víctor.

Pedro Botelho – UD Salamanca 0-1 Numancia

Pedro Botelho was named amongst the bench as mid tabled UD Salamanca hosted top of the table side Numancia. A win for the visitors would all but see them safely through to La Liga, but at home Salamanca have proved tricky opposition.

The game was decided by a Mario Martínez strike on 24 minutes, giving Numancia the vital win. Pedro Botelho was introduced on 78 minutes in place of Jeorge Alonso and played left full back. The Union take on second place Sporting next week in a testing couple of weeks.

Pedro played 12 minutes for Salamanca

Article By – J.Sanderson