Match preview and analysis: Osasuna Promesas (H)

After a forgettable showing in last weekend’s largely uneventful 0-0 draw against Cornellà, the Orelluts are back at home playing against Osasuna Promesas. It should be a good in chance to get back into a positive rhythm, against a side that is also sitting in the top half the table, and level on points with Castellón.

The team from Pamplona suffered their first loss of the season against Eldense (0-2) last time out, which put an end to their positive start to the season. Before last week, they had picked up wins against Cornellà and Amorebieta, and draws against La Nucía and Atletico Baleares.

Team news

All the players with the exception of winger Jorge Fernandez should be available to Ruben Torrecilla, with Oscar Gil back from suspension and Yac Diori back from international duty. Fernandez has been injured since preseason, and has had long term injury issues over the last few seasons. Torrecilla mentioned that his knee is still touch and go, but that the team is trying to get him back up to a level where he can make a good contribution to the team.

Opponent analysis

From watching clips of their games this season. Osasuna Promesas seem to be a better attacking team than a defensive one. Specifically, their wingers are of high quality, both in terms of technique and speed. Pau Martinez is also an excellent set piece taker, as illustrated by his unbelievable free kick from 30 yards out against Cornella. Castellón need to avoid giving away fouls on the edge of the box. In addition, all of Osasuna B’s goals this year from open play have come from the wing. That has to be the priority to defend for Ruben Torrecilla, and making them play narrower offensively would seem to be a better option.

Defensively, it seems that they are more vulnerable. Their goalkeeper made a bad mistake last week against Eldense, and it seems that the back line in general can be drawn out of position quite easily with some tactical know how. Dani Romera and Kone’s runs in behind could give them a lot of problems. Unlike last week against Cornellà, Castellón should not struggle to create chances against this defence, given their more attacking focus.

Manager comments

Ruben Torrecilla, CD Castellón: “We need to be organised defensively and pressure them where necessary to get the ball back and from there find our own tactical options. They are a very competitive team and we will need to outperform them in that regard.

Santi Castillejo [Osasuna B’s manager] has his team well organised and you can tell he was a striker because they are a very offensive team.

Fabricio and Giorgi [Kochorashvili] are very close to being able to start. They were the last ones to arrive, and they needed to settle in, but now they are fit and we will start to rotate. The season is long and we need to get to the last two months in the best condition possible.”