Puñal short-changed by Sevilla
Friday, April 27, 2007
Article summary
Patxi Puñal admitted CA Osasuna's 1-0 victory represented "a bit of a low return" after an attacking display in the semi-final first leg against Sevilla FC.
Article body
Underdog victory
Puñal and López were absolutely crucial, in their separate ways, to the underdogs' victory which leaves UEFA Cup holders Sevilla FC needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit in next week's semi-final return. Puñal, returning after several weeks of injury, worked and harassed in midfield to such effect that he had no hesitation in declaring that his particular battle had been won hands down. For his part, López delivered five excellent goal chances to his team – four from dead-ball situations and one following a lovely electric wriggle past three defenders to allow Puñal a stinging shot.
'One small step'
Speaking to uefa.com after a narrow victory secured by Roberto Soldado's first-half header, wide man López said that Osasuna were now just "a small step" from reaching their first European final. "We are just a small step away from the final after this result – but we need to be careful and take that step decisively. Perhaps we deserved a better scoreline if you think of how we played but this is a good result. No one should underestimate a 1-0 win at this stage. We started at a high tempo and then added quality but now we have to translate one good result into a second good performance and ensure we make the final."
Captain cautious
Puñal's view was more cautious. "Hopefully this is a big step towards Glasgow but I'm a little disappointed because if you total up our chances and admit that we had perhaps four or five clear opportunities then 1-0 is a bit of a low return," he said. The Osasuna captain predicted a "tough test" in Seville next Thursday but hopes his team can repeat their impressive efforts in controlling the midfield – and benefit from their opponents once again conceding too many free-kicks.
'Win midfield battle'
"They actually do commit quite a few fouls and that was the case in this first leg," he said. "The advantage to us is that López has a quality delivery and as a team we know how to get the maximum out of dead-ball situations. Sevilla need to win 2-0 to go through but it'll be a tough test and we need to repeat what we did tonight which was to win the midfield battle and release our wingers. That is what led to them giving away so many free-kicks and, eventually, our goal."