Josetxo: “Ronaldo is the 'galactic' who gave me the most war”

Josetxo Romero (44 years old, Pamplona) is the eighth player with the most matches in the history of Osasuna, with 314. A historic one. He knows what it is to beat Real Madrid in El Sadar and in the white fiefdom. He experienced one of Osasuna's historic goals at the Bernabéu, when in 2004, at the hand of Javier Aguirre, they beat the whites 0-3. Josetxo remembers for AS the matches he played throughout his career against Zidane's. He believes that Osasuna can surprise today and would love it to be that way.

What do you remember about the games you played against Real Madrid throughout your career?

They were special matches because in addition to measuring yourself against the best team in the world, in Pamplona they have historically been rivalry matches. You play against the best players in the world.

Is there a game against the Whites that you especially remember?

Remembering them you remember them all. I was lucky enough to participate in several victories against Real Madrid. These are days that mark a lot and that give you a lot of hype as a club. For a team like Osasuna to beat Real Madrid has rarely happened. Above all, I remember the game we won in 2004 at the Bernabéu, 0-3. They are shocks that remain etched in your memory and on your retina forever.

He also knows what it is to beat Madrid at El Sadar …

Yes. For example, I remember the season we saved ourselves by beating them. What happens that I was in that game, but I did not play and it is not the same.

The matches between Real Madrid and Osasuna have always been intense, with the fans pressing. Do you think that in recent years that intensity has been losing?

I think it is an understandable process. For example, in El Sadar, when I was small, there weren't even seats. Standing long ago. Sitting you are less effusive. All the clubs have been adapting to the regulations and that means that the intensity or the way of expressing themselves as a fan is not the same.

Of all the Real Madrid players who have been measured, which one created the most problems for you?

I was lucky enough to play against Real Madrid at the time of the 'Galacticos'. The one who gave me the most war was Ronaldo, not Cristiano, the other one. He was a player that the feeling he gave me was that it seemed that he was not there, but he was. It seemed that the game was not going with him, but the moment he caught the ball, it was a goal. For a defense that is complicated because it seemed that he did not find out about the party, but at the minimum, he did it. He was very fast, he took the plays very to the limit… The marking was complicated.

Do you remember any anecdote with a Madrid player?

Yes. When in 2004 we won zero to three and we had scored the first goal, I had a run-in with Zidane. Figo came and started saying things to me. It occurred to me to say: look at the scoreboard. There was a lot left and as I told him, I regretted it, because I thought we could end up losing. Then I would have had to swallow my words, but we won and those words did not turn against me.

Do you consider that Osasuna arrives in one of the best moments of the season to face this match?

The players are finishing the season very well. This year with the issue of COVID and dragging the dates of the 2020 stoppage, everything is being very strange. Normally, a season is long and all teams have their bumps, and this year, more. Osasuna has had its moments and has been on the decline and people in December already thought that this season they were not going to be saved. Now they are very well, in a good dynamic and playing a great role, especially defensively. They lost in Balaídos, but they came from three straight wins and six games without losing. In these last meetings they have let loose a lot offensively and that has allowed them to be where they are. Madrid are fighting for the League and they have the Champions League in mind, so it may be a good time to beat them, as has happened on other occasions.

Do you think you can beat the white team?

It is very difficult. But just as we achieved it at the time, they can also achieve it now. Osasuna faces the game with guaranteed permanence and that will allow them to play much looser when it comes to having the ball, being able to attack … The intensity is assured because it is something that this team has, whether or not it is saved. I think it is a good time to win and make history again by achieving a victory in the Madrid field.

Of the current Madrid squad, which player seems the most dangerous to you?

Benzema. In my opinion, by not being Cristiano, he has freed himself a lot in his game. Before he was a great player, just like now, but forwards are valued above all for their goals. When Cristiano was there, who is a devourer of the area, he was a bit covered. Now he has had to take another role and he has done it and he is showing that this is a moment of maturity. He has taken the captain's stripes. The other day I saw a report about Benzema, how he leads his teammates… He is in a very sweet moment. He has added scoring goals to all the good player he was and now he is being valued twice.

Osasuna is having a good season …

Arrasate's way of understanding football is like it here. He knows how to get the most out of the players and they put it into practice. It is not easy to always play with that intensity and always forward, but the team succeeds. What he marks, the players put into practice. I think there is a very good connection between what the coach wants to convey and how the players put it into practice. This season there was a bad moment, but the club was right by closing ranks around the coach. When things are done well, calmly and with judgment, the results happen. And that is what Osasuna is showing in recent years.

If you were Arrasate, would you bet to play at Alfredo Di Stéfano for the 4-1-4-1 that has been giving such good results lately?

I would bet on what Arrasate decides. From the outside, I am nobody to give an opinion on how Osasuna should play. What I see is that the coach knows how to get the best out of the team. When the team did not hit the key, they looked for alternatives. He is not a coach who is blind with his ideas.

What does Josetxo Romero do today?

I have been working for the Pamplona City Council for almost six years. I don't do anything related to football. I liked to play, I was passionate about it. Soccer is very beautiful, but it is very sacrificed and I didn't see myself in anything other than playing. I know what it is, what to get involved. I had a wonderful time, but that ended and I went in different directions. Martín González offered me to speak in Osasuna when I finished my career as a footballer in Huesca and I thanked him very much, but I said no. I took a few exams and I am in the area of ​​Citizen Security.