Spain round-up: Osasuna spoil Atlético party
Saturday, April 26, 2003
Article summary
Club Atlético Osasuna ruined Club Atlético de Madrid’s centenary celebrations with a 1-0 win.
Article body
Club Atlético Osasuna spoiled Club Atlético de Madrid’s centenary celebrations on Saturday by securing a 1-0 win at the Vicente Calderón stadium.
Festivities fall flat
Atlético fans had paraded a flag emblazoned with the team's red and white colours through the streets of the Spanish capital on Saturday afternoon, one hundred years to the day that Madrid’s second-biggest club were founded - but the festivities fell decidedly flat later.
Different script
The outcome might have been different had Brazilian midfield player Emerson opened the scoring in the 20th minute as he found himself with only goalkeeper Juanma to beat but he shot wide. Atlético, whose hopes of European qualification were also dented, were made to pay for their profligacy in the 43rd minute after a move that started when Emerson gave possession away to Valdo and Iván Rosado ended up tapping into an empty net.
Welcome boost
Demitrio Albertini went close to levelling early in the second half but his low shot from a free-kick hit the post. Despite César Cruchaga’s dismissal soon after, Atlético struggled to break down a determined Osasuna side whose bid to escape relegation was boosted by the three points.
Fernando header
In the day’s early game, Athletic Club Bilbao defeated Real Betis Balompié 3-1 at San Mamés to move one spot ahead of Atlético into ninth in the standings. Betis took the lead against the run of play when Fernando glanced a header inside the far post after an inswinging corner from Joaquín.
Two goals
Joseba Etxeberria, however, equalised from close range in the 36th minute and Ismael Urzaiz headed in at the near post soon afterwards to turn the match on its head. Bilbao added a third before the break when Santiago Ezquerro beat Toni Prats after the Betis goalkeeper had failed to hold a sharp drive from Yeste.
Sunday’s games
On Sunday, Real Madrid CF aim to extend their lead at the top of the Primera División against Sevilla FC while second-placed RC Deportvo La Coruña are away to RCD Mallorca.
