Sevilla FC 3 - 3 CA Osasuna
SEV: Quaresma 30' Rabello 67' De Jong 90'
OSA: Guillermo 50' 74' Lopez 90'
Osasuna have only been able to gather 5 points in their last 5 matches before Sevilla and they came out hoping to change their poor league form. Unfortunately for them, they met a Sevilla determined to get into a Champions League spot and we were treated to an amazing match of football. Quaresma started the scoring 30 minutes into the match with a wonderfully curved free kick that left Rodriguez standing on his line. The match was so tight that neither team could get a shot on goal during open play. Five minutes into the second half Jose Campaņa played a through ball to Guillermo who put in a powerful shot on goal and equalized the match!
Igor Akinfeev had gotten a touch on the ball but it wasn't enough to send the ball out and it bounced into the net behind him. Rabello would put Sevilla back in the lead in the 67th minute, but seven minutes later Guillermo would equalize again! Isma Lopez sent Guillermo a through ball from the left wing and once he entered the box Guillermo took a powerful low shot on goal that sneaked into the net from in between Akinfeev's legs!
The match became even more exciting now as both teams went all out attack looking for the lead. At the 90th minute Luis Martinez, second half sub, stole the ball in his defensive third and sprinted up the pitch. Martinez isn't very fast, but next to Sevilla's tired players he was flying! The fans got on their feet as they noticed that Martinez had just started a 4 on 1 counter attack with Palacios, Guillermo, Lopez, and himself all pushing in attack against only one Sevilla defender. He waited for the defender to come out to pressure him and then lobbed the ball to Guillermo. Guillermo felt Sevilla's players catching up so without hesitation he headed the ball to Isma Lopez. Lopez dribbled into the box one on one with Akinfeev. He couldn't miss, he absolutely could not miss this chance and he didn't! Lopez took a smooth shot on goal with his inside foot that beat the world class keeper Akinfeev!
We thought it was all over, we were even getting ready to end the transmission when not even a minute later Sevilla's De Jong took a strong shot from the edge of the box and equalized the match at 3-3. Chavez just stood on the sideline shaking his head. Could Osasuna's luck get any worse lately?
CA Osasuna 1 - 1 Real Madrid
OSA: Guillermo 2'
REA: Lewandowski 45'
Just two minutes had passed by and we were already celebrating the first goal. Guillermo had stolen the ball in his attacking third and since Sergio Ramos did not come out to pressure him he took a long shot on goal which soared into the top corner of the net past Iker Casillas' dive.
An outstanding goal even more so because of the opponent. Real Madrid pushed hard for the equalizer and finally achieved it right before the halftime whistle with Robert Lewandowski striking the ball into the back of the net from inside the box. Real Madrid had everything to take the lead in the second half as they were definitely the better side on the field and had Osasuna against the wall. Jose Antonio Rodriguez was named MOTM with 8 saves, and was the main reason why Osasuna were able to at least take a point from the match.
Champions League - Final
CA Osasuna vs PSG
Finally, the match we've been waiting for all season. Wembley Stadium will be the battlefield as these two teams go head to head for Europe's throne. We weren't expecting neither of these teams to reach the final, but PSG have world class quality in their lineup with the likes of Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi (the hero of the semifinal), Varane, Thiago, and the former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea. On the other side Osasuna have an inspired Guillermo who is considered Spain's up and coming star striker of the future, and a team that has played with heart and overcame all odds. From just
barely surviving the group stage to humiliating Barcelona, this team has proven that they cannot be underestimated and they plan to win their second consecutive European title in this, their first ever Champions League participation.
Spoiler
Champions League - Final
CA Osasuna 3 - 2 PSG
PSG: Lavezzi 18' Ibrahimovic 45'
OSA: Guillermo 42' Davila 60' Guillermo 87'
We have just witnessed a match for the history books as Osasuna have won their first ever Champions League the first time the club has ever participated in the competition! Unbelievable! The match started off very balanced as it was expected with neither team risking too much. Eighteen minutes into the match PSG put a hand on the cup with Lavezzi taking advantage of a loss of focus from Osasuna during a corner kick and he put the French in the league. The ball bounced before going into the net and it looked like Grimaldo was going to reach it before it crossed the line but he just barely missed it. The rest of the first half was nail biting as it could have gone either way, but the Basques finally had a reason to jump up and celebrate in the 42nd minute. Jose Campaņa noticed Guillermo making a run between the centre backs and lobbed the ball to him. Guillermo kept Varane on his shoulder, took a touch to bring the ball down and then smoothly finished the play with his inside foot. De Gea was unable to reach the ball and it was all level again!
Hands off the cup! We still had a game to play here! At least that was the message for approximately three minutes until Zlatan Ibrahimovic volleyed the ball into the net right before the halftime whistle and put PSG back in the lead. The pressure was all on Chavez again but once again Jose Campaņa showed off his playmaking skills to put Osasuna back in the game. Campaņa anticipated Ulises Davila's inside run from the right wing and sent him a through ball to the box. We were at the edge of our seats wondering if Davila would be able to get to the ball first before De Gea but he did and without thinking twice about it took a first time shot into the bottom corner. Osasuna had equalized!!
The fans were ecstatic but with Osasuna's recent luck nothing was settled yet. It looked like we were going to extra time since neither team was really pushing for the winner. Then, Guillermo made history. Roberto Torres passed the ball to Guillermo who shielded the ball and then managed to get around Varane. He didn't have an angle to shoot but he tried it anyway and his left footed shot beat De Gea!! We couldn't believe it!!
Even Chavez celebrated that goal, and just like that Osasuna were champions. From being 2-1 down at halftime to turning it to 3-2 at full time, Osasuna were lifting the cup!!
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Liga BBVA League Table
1. FC Barcelona - 85 points
2. Real Madrid - 77 points
3.
CA Osasuna - 70 points
4. Valencia CF - 70 points
5. Sevilla FC - 64 points
6. Atletico Madrid - 62 points
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7. Malaga CF - 59 points
8. Athletic Bilbao - 58 points
9. Getafe CF - 53 points
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17. Levante UD - 35 points
18. Real Valladolid - 34 points
19. Celta Vigo - 32 points
20. RC Deportivo - 29 points
Liga BBVA Top Scorer
1. Ronaldo (Madrid) - 22 Goals
2. Suarez (Barca) - 21 Goals
3. Guillermo (Osasuna) - 19 Goals
Liga BBVA Top Playmaker
1. Ronaldo (Madrid) - 10 Assists
2. Palacios (Osasuna) - 9 Assists
3. Cerci (Atletico) - 8 Assists
Liga BBVA Golden Glove
1. Bravo (Barca) - 13 Clean Sheets
2. Guaita (Getafe) - 12 Clean Sheets
3. Alves (Valencia) - 11 Clean Sheets
4. Riesgo (Osasuna) - 10 Clean Sheets
CA Osasuna Top Scorer
1. Guillermo - 34 Goals
2. Ulises Davila - 13 Goals
3. Federico Palacios - 9 Goals
Notable Youth Academy Players
* = Departed
Liga BBVA Team of The Year
GK - Alves (Valencia)
RB - Alba (Barcelona)
RCB - Musacchio (Villarreal)
LCB - Mascherano (Barcelona)
LB - Barragan (Valencia)
RM - Ronaldo (Madrid)
RCM - Pedro (Barcelona)
LCM - Perez (Valencia)
LM - Bale (Madrid)
RS - Mandzukic (Atletico)
LS - Ari (Rayo Vallecano)
Player of The Year: Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Manager of The Year: Luis Enrique (Barcelona)
Cup Runs
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May Headlines
Quinti Renews Contract
LB Xavi Quinti (71 OVR) signed a 4 year contract with Osasuna in Chavez's first season and then spent 3 seasons on loan at other clubs. He returned this season, the last year on his contract, with the opportunity of finally showing himself with the B-Team. The staff had already told him his contract would not be reviewed until the end of the season, and the young left back worked hard to get a permanent offer. His determination over the years has finally paid off and he has been offered a new 4 year contract with a big pay raise for him, going from $1,000 per week to $25,000 per week, and also an improved squad role going from Sporadic First Team Player to Squad Rotation Player. The kid has a bright future and Chavez is glad to have him stay.
No Vacation For Chavez
Chavez continues to make history with Osasuna, now by winning the Champions League title, but he won't have much time to enjoy it as he has another huge challenge coming up: the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He is expected to announce his final squad list for Mexico soon and after Mexico's recent Friendlies there are a lot of doubts among the supporters. Mexico has been drawn in Group B with some tough competition. This is how the group stands:
FIFA World Cup - Group B
1. Spain - 0 points
2. Hungary - 0 points
3.
Mexico - 0 points
4. Uruguay - 0 points
Conclusion
Finally, the end of the season. I think this season has taken me longer to complete than the past three, but it's finally over and I'm extremely happy to have won the Champions League. What's funny is that I've won the Europa League and the Champions, but I have yet to win a domestic title. I completely fell off the race for the league title this year and I'm still dealing with ghosts in the Copa Del Rey. The end of the season was brutal, I honestly felt like the game was purposely making life impossible for me, and I hope that doesn't carry over to the World Cup.
I've started to scout for potential transfer targets but so far I only have one in mind: a replacement for
Isma Lopez. Yep, our very own Basque wide man. Nothing against the fella, it's just that
Keano here has him by default at Sporting Gijon, and also I want to mix it up a little. Christian Tello has been on my wish list ever since I started this career, but I'm hesitant about making an offer for him since he's at Barcelona the current league champs. You know I don't like poaching off the competition! Therefore, I will be searching the Liga Adelante teams for a winger. I already have one in mind, but any recommendations are welcome!
The Youth Academy had a mutiny this month with our boys rebelling against us and many of them departing. I promoted three initially (Santana, Garcia, Soriano) then the RB Ramirez demanded a call up and I obliged since I don't have any other RB in the academy, and then a bunch of other players began to demand a call up which is when I put my foot down. Chavez ain't taking any of that crap! So, my academy has reduced significantly with only about 3 notable players left. Looks like youth scouting will resume next season!
Well, that's it for this update and for the season. I want to thank you guys for sticking by me through all these matches and reading the updates. You guys are the reason I'm still posting, and I hope I can finally give you guys a league title next season! I will be posting a detailed squad review soon and don't forget we have the World Cup coming up! Until then,
Thanks For Reading!
