Osasuna's season in the sun

By Andy Hall & Luis Arconada Lamsfus

Occupying sixth place in the Spanish top flight with 34 points, CA Osasuna are enjoying one of the most spectacular seasons in their 83-year history.

European adventures
Having played in two UEFA Cup campaigns, the Pamplona side remain on course for a third European adventure and are just one win away from equalling their best-ever start to a season.

Health and strength
The club sprang to life in 1920 after two local sides, Sportiva and New Club, joined forces to form Osasuna, which in the Basque regional Euskera language means, 'health and strength'. Proud of their modest roots, Osasuna never boasted the major budgets of Spain's élite but the club have enjoyed moderate successes over the years - their pinnacle was claiming fourth place in the Primera División in 1990/91.

Great feeling
This season's performances, including an away win last month against Valencia CF and a 1-1 home draw with leaders Real Madrid CF, have taken everyone at the club aback. Mexican team coach Javier Aguirre, now in his second season in Pamplona, is delighted with the team's progress. "So far, we have enjoyed a really good season," he told uefa.com. "We are far higher than we might have expected to be which is a great feeling for us."

'Fantastic season'
Midfield player Patxi Puñal agreed: "It's been a fantastic season - even the most optimistic among us could not have anticipated a start like this. Maybe the secret has been the amount of self-confidence we have within ourselves at the moment.

High spirits
"The current side started out as a relatively young side but gradually we have matured and with each game we are growing. The confidence we have on the field is obvious to rival teams. We are playing each game at full throttle and surprising other teams - they know that they are going to suffer against us."

Tactical talk
Aguirre admits that there is no secret to Osasuna's success. "Tactically, there are no secrets," he said. "All us coaches employ similar methods and so the hardest part is convincing players that they can be winners. You may have better ideas tactically but if your players are not convinced or sufficiently motivated then you're lost."

Sadar experience
That motivation, and the notoriously fiery atmosphere at the club's El Sadar home stadium, have helped Osasuna clamber up the ranks this season, but their Mexican coach confessed that their self-belief did not extend as far as having title ambitions. Survival remains the key.

Modest ambitions
"Our objective is just to make sure we stay in the Primera División," he said. "It's difficult to see the team securing a UEFA Champions League placing - the team is doing well and we are on form but for the time being, sealing a top-four place is just a dream for us.

Realistic approach
"At the minute, we are 15 points adrift of Real Madrid and you have to be realistic. We are a modest outfit and first and foremost, our plan is to make sure that we will be in the Primera División at this point next season."

Miracles happen
However, with Real Sociedad de Fútbol having turned the table on its head with a second-placed finish last season, the impossible can happen in Spain. They may be keeping their targets low, but as the season drags on, the town famous for the running of the bulls may yet be in the running for a place back in football's big time.