Osasuna 0 - 0 Deportivo La Coruna - Osasuna spurn golden chance

Posted Wednesday, March 02, 2011 by PA

Osasuna missed the chance to climb well clear of the Primera Division's relegation zone after being held to a goalless draw at home by Deportivo La Coruna this evening.

Osasuna will feel they did enough to win the match but, like Real Madrid at the weekend, they were denied by a mixture of the woodwork and good goalkeeping from Depor's Daniel Aranzubia.

The result leaves Osasuna one point above the relegation zone, while Depor, who also held high-flying Madrid 0-0 at the Riazor on Saturday, are two points better off.

Hosts Osasuna created the better of the opportunities in the opening period, with Alvaro Cejudo firing just over and Aranzubia denying Dejan Lekic and Nacho Monreal.

At the other end, Depor gave Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez something to think about with an effort from Jose Sand.

However, with Depor being the lowest scorers in the whole division with 21 goals scored, and Osasuna having the joint-best home defence along with Madrid after just six goals conceded, it was little surprise to see Jose Luis Mendilibar's side largely keep Depor's attack under wraps for much of the contest.

The second half again saw Osasuna look the more likely scorers, and Aranzubia produced a fine fingertip save to deny Marcos Nelson's stunning 30-yard effort in the 68th minute before Depor substitute Ivan Riki twice tried his luck without reward for the visitors.

Osasuna replacement Ferran Coro drew another save out Aranzubia in the 74th minute before another home substitute, Kike Sola, went closest to breaking the deadlock when he struck the woodwork in the 85th minute.

Sola was put through on the left edge of the area but his shot, which might have taken a slight deflection off a sliding Depor defender, came back off the far post.

There was one last scare for Depor after that as well when Javier Camunas beat Aranzubia to a cross, but his header went just wide as the points were shared.