Osasuna vs Racing Santander preview - Osasuna set to bounce back from cup exit

Posted Sunday, January 15, 2012 by PA

Osasuna's fine start to the season was soured somewhat by an exit to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey this week but, despite that setback, striker Nino insists they are delighted with their current position ahead of their clash with Racing Santander this weekend.

The Navarran side currently sit in fifth position, just four points off a Champions League place, and are still unbeaten at home in the league this season.

Nino told the club's website: "The mind and concentration of the team is on the match against Racing.

"They are three very important points and if we win we will already have 29 points with the whole second half of the season still ahead of us. We certainly would have signed for this before the season started.

"We know how difficult the Primera Division is and we are a humble, hard-working team that know our virtues and limitations. The team is working well and obviously to get to 29 points would be fantastic."

The hosts will, however, be missing captain Francisco Punal who is suspended.

Racing also went out of the cup to lower league side Mirandes in midweek, but in the league their fortunes have turned around with two wins and two draws since Juanjo Gonzalez took charge at the beginning of December.

Gonzalez though is aware of the task that faces his players on Sunday.

He told the club's website: "Osasuna still haven't lost at home in the league and we will have to give 120 percent to achieve a positive result.

"They are battle-hardened, experts in winning second balls and dominate in the air. The latter is an area which is also one of our strong points and something our defence has shown they can cope with."

Pape Diop and Lautaro Acosta should both return to the starting line-up after missing the Mirandes match but Manolo Arana is suspended.