Valladolid vs Osasuna preview - Gracia hoping hard work pays off
Posted Friday, November 22, 2013 by PA
Osasuna coach Javi Gracia hopes his decision to inflict double training sessions on his players over the international break pays dividends in Friday's crucial trip to Real Valladolid.
Back-to-back defeats to Real Sociedad and Almeria left Osasuna struggling in 19th place in the Primera Division and convinced Gracia to keep his players confined to their Instalaciones Tajonar training base for two gruelling weeks rather than granting extended leave.
The first seven days were spent on defensive drills and shooting practice - Osasuna have scored only 10 goals while conceding 22 - before thoughts turned to outfoxing Juan Ignacio Martinez's Valladolid on home turf.
La Pucela are unbeaten in four of the six games at the Jose Zorrilla this term but sit only two points above Osasuna in 15th place, thanks mainly to their own leaky backline.
Gracia told a press conference: "I would have preferred to play as soon as possible to get a positive result, but we've had to adapt and make the most of these days to prepare for the match.
"In the first week we gave them a heavier workload and polished some aspects of our game. In the second week we prepared specifically for this game.
"We are looking forward and need to improve on our recent results to get the victory that has been within our grasp.
"They're a brave team, a daring one, a sexy outfit. They do, however, concede a lot of goals at home and that's something we should take advantage of."
Osasuna's top-scorer Oriol Riera will not be able to add to his five-goal haul due to suspension while midfielder Sisi and striker Nino are injured.
Valladolid forward Manucho and winger Patrick Ebert return from injury but midfielder Fausto Rossi is banned.
Friday night's hosts claimed a morale-boosting 2-2 draw at Valencia last time out and Martinez is certainly feeling more confident than his opposite number, despite recognising how precarious his side's current position is.
A cursory glance at the history books has further steeled the 49-year-old's resolve to take the team from Pamplona seriously.
Osasuna have avoided defeat on their last six La Liga trips west - even taking a 2-1 victory in September 2009 and triumphing 3-1 last season.
"We're feeling good and I think the team is ready to approach the game," he told his club's official website. "But points are vital for both sides.
"Osasuna are a team that we know well. They're very courageous and are on a very good run at the Zorrilla.
"We are also aware, however, that they need points and we can make things difficult for them, but we have to prove it out on the pitch."
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