Osasuna complete Italian job
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Article summary
Parma FC 0-3 CA Osasuna Goals from David López (2) and Juanfran took Osasuna into the Round of 32 behind Group D winners Parma.
Article body
Second behind Parma
Two goals from David López and a late third from substitute Juanfran gave Osasuna the point they needed and more, the victory lifting them to seven points and securing them second place in the section. Having already qualified as Group D winners after three straight successes, Parma fielded a weakened side and Osasuna sought to take full advantage as they came bursting out of the blocks with Valdo firing narrowly wide in the second minute.
López at the double
The Italian hosts' sole effort of note in the first period came when Jorge Bolano tried his luck from long distance in the 26th minute. That merely sparked Osasuna into action with Savo Milošević nodding wide and Roberto Soldado testing home goalkeeper Alfonso De Lucia with a volley from ten metres. De Lucia was equal to that, but could do nothing moments later when David López found the bottom left-hand corner of the goal with an excellent strike from more than 25 metres. The Osasuna midfielder then added a second a minute before the break, stabbing in Patxi Puñal's cross from close range.
Opportunities
The Spanish team continued to push forward in the second half, with Javad Nekunam blazing wide shortly after the restart. Parma responded with attacks of their own but failed to trouble Osasuna keeper Ricardo López as both Vitali Kutuzov and Filippo Savi missed the target. Kutuzov went closer midway through the half with a header from Antonio Bocchetti's cross, but Osasuna's No13 made the save. At the other end, substitute Bernardo Romeo's shot was blocked by De Lucia as Osasuna threatened again.
Parma frustrated
There would be no hat-trick for David López as he was withdrawn with 17 minutes remaining, yet his replacement Juanfran capped the victory in the 82nd minute when he turned in Romeo's centre. Parma's frustrations continued in the dying stages as Ricardo López thwarted their attempts for a consolation goal, the custodian making a fine stop from Maurizio Ciaramitaro before substitute Daniele Paponi sent the rebound wide.
