Osasuna has caressed the Europa League. Those from Arrasate say goodbye to their attempt to play in Europe this season with a draw (2-2) against Bruges in the second leg of the Conference League playoff, after the 1-2 in the first leg against El Sadar that had the ‘rojillo’ team came back until the final fiasco.
The rojillos touched the European feat that the coach requested in the previous one, but two errors in defense, with Mojica pointed out, cost two goals at 73′ and 76′ for the locals. Osasuna was left with honey on his lips in search of returning to Europe 16 years later, with a suit that he will have to quickly forget.
The ‘rojillo’ team, who had to fight on the pitch and then in the offices to play this tie against a first suspension from UEFA, knew how to suffer in the first half and had the punch that they lacked in the first leg. Mojica tied the tie 0-1 at the Jan Breydel Stadion, despite the local options.
De Cuyper had the clearest, when he shot at the post shortly before the break, while Chimy Ávila pardoned a header for the Spanish team. After the corner that the Argentine forced, that goal came that gave Osasuna faith in order to look for their options in the second half, which came in the 53rd minute.
A cross from Rubén Peña was sent into the net by Budimir to confirm the ‘rojillo’ blow away from home, but with a long half hour to endure. Aimar Oroz and Rubén García came in looking to control the game, although the Copa del Rey finalist gave the ball to a Bruges team that took a long time to digest the 0-2 loss. The feat was there, but the errors appeared that cost him the European passport.
Thiago, who looked for him throughout the game, made it 1-2 in the 73rd minute, only at the far post without Mojica’s mark or Sergio Herrera leaving. The Colombian defender on loan from Villarreal was also unsuccessful three minutes later, losing a ball in the area that ended in Olsen’s goal. A fiasco that led to precipitation, without visiting chances until a last attempt by Aimar deflected into a long farewell discount.
