Elche vs Osasuna preview - Corominas calls for improvement

Posted Thursday, February 13, 2014 by PA

Elche forward Ferran Corominas has told his team-mates they must move on quickly from the disappointment of Sunday's draw to Real Valladolid if they are to climb up in the Primera Liga standings.

The Valencian outfit host Osasuna on Friday evening looking to bounce back from that 2-2 draw.

Elche led 2-0 after 66 minutes only to concede two quick goals and have to settle for a point.

"We are disappointed because we were 2-0 up and we had total control of the game," Corominas said. "We gave away two goals and dropped two points which left us with a bitter taste in our mouths.

"The only positive was that we didn't lose against a direct rivals in our battle to avoid the drop.

"We must leave this setback behind us and focus on doing better against Osasuna, who like us are fighting for Primera Liga survival."

Sunday's draw followed their 1-0 triumph over Almeria and lifted Elche to 12th place, four points clear of the drop zone.

Elche, who travel to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid next weekend, have yet to lose at home in 2014.

Fran Escriba's men have collected seven points from a possible nine at the Martinez Valero stadium so far this year.

Osasuna could leapfrog Elche in the standings if they come out triumphant on Friday.

Javi Gracia's side are two places adrift of Elche but level with them on 25 points.

The Pamplona-based outfit bounced back from heavy defeats to Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao with a 2-0 triumph over Getafe last time out.

Osasuna midfielder Roberto Torres, who got on the scoresheet last weekend, has demanded a similar performance from his team-mates.

"The game against Elche is very important in view of defending our Primera Liga status," he said.

"With (relegation-threatened) Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano playing against Barcelona and Atletico this weekend, this could be an opportunity for us to extend our advantage over the drop zone.

"Friday's game is a must-win for us.

"We need to show the same hunger we displayed against Getafe."

The visitors are without midfielders Miguel De las Cuevas and Francisco Punal, both out injured.