MADRID, 4 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
CA Osasuna beat Girona (2-1) this Sunday to certify their presence in European competition next season, qualified for the Conference League, in a last day of LaLiga Santander in El Sadar that focused the fight for the seventh, without giving option for the ‘rojillos’ to their rival, Athletic or Rayo.
Jagoba Arrasate’s men, with a packed stadium to accompany the last dance of the Copa del Rey finalist, turned to attack with an Abde who, with a farewell flavor, wanted to leave his signature on the last day of the League. However, as soon as Girona had some possession, Aitor Fernández appeared to save the locals.
Osasuna, who lost David García due to an early injury, ended up suffering in the first half, with two very clear chances for Míchel’s men. However, the restart was local again, vertical after the recovery with Abde and Aimar, until killing the final for seventh place in two against that ended Budimir (2-0).
The visitor’s reaction was to bring on Stuani and Aleix García, and more changes, until closing the gap with 15 minutes remaining through Reinier. The outcome was a round trip that did not prevent Osasuna from returning to Europe 16 years later, cutting the way for the rest of the candidates, like a Girona who dreamed of making their European debut.
Thus Athletic Club’s Conference League options vanished, which tied (1-1) at the Santiago Bernabéu, finally eighth with 51 points, two of the Navarrese. Ernesto Valverde’s men deserved more, Thibaut Courtois avoided victory against Real Madrid, but even victory would not have been enough since, if Osasuna complied, there were no more accounts to do.
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano left Mallorca thrashed, with Javier Aguirre’s team closing the course in ninth place. Rayo’s options depended on a carom that failed at first, since between Muriqi and Kang In they wanted the party to go to Son Moix. In Palma there was another farewell that caught the spotlight, the last meeting of referee Mateu Lahoz, very emotional at the end.
The locals left their best version, solid behind and lethal up front, to sign goals from Muriqi, Copete and Ángel in the second half. On the other hand, Sevilla also had options to be seventh, but the Europa League champion had already secured its front door to the continental competition in Budapest.
José Luis Mendilibar’s men, who will play the ‘Champions’, arrived with their hangover and their homework more than done at a celebratory Reale Arena. With the ticket to the Champions League also secured 10 years later on the penultimate matchday, the ‘txuri-rudin’ team was able to devote themselves to enjoying themselves, and thus came the 2-1 victory.
Brais Méndez and Cho scored the goals in an entertaining match, back and forth, and the locals were eager to finish well at home. Dimitrovic was the best of the visitors in the first half and Imanol Alguacil’s men insisted to double the income. Those of ‘Mendi’ were able to enter fully into the match with a ball to the post of Óliver Torres. Lamela was the one who was right and Suso had the 2-2.