Osasuna

Moroccan forward Ez Abde scored from a quick counter-attack early in the second-half to give Osasuna a 1-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao in an ill-tempered ...

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Osasuna's opponents are perennial challengers Athletic Club, who have won the competition 23 times, although not since the 1983/84 season. Their last final ...

The Barcelona loanee has been in excellent form, and he scored the winner in their quarter-final victory over Sevilla in January. Ez Abde has been one of the shining lights of Osasuna’s side this season. [#LaCopaMola] [pic.twitter.com/Upum2b57OP]

Ez Abde's fine solo goal earned Osasuna a slim 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first leg win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Moi Gomez found the Morocco international, who brilliantly beat defender Daniel Vivian and drilled a low effort across goal and into the far corner. Athletic have won the cup 23 times, more than any other side apart from Barcelona, and were playing in the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive season. Ernesto Valverde brought defender Inigo Martinez into the Athletic starting line-up after injury, for his first appearance since November.

Osasuna has defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals.

“We know that the game there will be completely different, with the fans supporting them. The Basque Country club was runner-up both in 2020 and 2021, and lost to Valencia in last season’s semifinals. Osasuna is in the last four for the first time since reaching the final in 2005, when it lost to Real Betis.

Ez Abde's fine solo goal earned Osasuna a slim 1-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first leg win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

The first half offered few clear chances, in a cagey encounter, but Abde broke through early in the second half. "It was a very even game, and that start to the second half and moment of genius from Abde gives us a little advantage," said Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate. The on-loan Barcelona winger burst into the box early in the second half and drilled home superbly to separate the teams in an even clash at El Sadar.

Osasuna will take a slender lead to Bilbao for the second leg after Ez Abde fired them to a 1-0 victory at Estadio El Sadar.

Its best opportunity fell at the feet of substitute Gorka Guruzeta in the dying seconds, but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Sergio Herrera, and Athletic will have much work to do in the reverse leg at San Mames on April 4 if they are to keep its hopes of winning a 24th Copa del Rey alive. The first half was a scrappy affair, distinctly lacking in attacking quality as both teams struggled to put its stamp on the match. But moments into the second half, a swift Osasuna counter ended with Abde charging into the box before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom right corner.

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde admits they were not at their best for last night's 1-0 defeat against CA Osasuna in the Copa semi-final first leg a.

You can't ignore the results and we're not happy." He continued: "The favourite is the one who is in the lead. You could really see that there was a lot at stake and there was a lot of hesitation rather than chances.

Moroccan winger Ez Abde might have left Camp Nou on loan for Osasuna this season, but it has not dampened his taste for the big stage.

But this is Osasuna, you have to do your work, and he is picking things up well.” Because I speak to him a lot, I have a brother about his age.” It appears he is doing a good job. With an electric goal against Athletic Club in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, he has given Los Rojillo an advantage to take to Bilbao. That’s why he always comes to hug me first when he scores. Moroccan winger Ez Abde might have left Camp Nou on loan for Osasuna this season, but it has not dampened his taste for the big stage.

"After the World Cup he struggled a bit, but when he is in his rhythm, when he is in sparkling form, he is a player who can unbalance teams.

If he improves his goalscoring numbers, added to his unbalancing play, he will have a better chance of finding his place at Barça. "After the World Cup he struggled a bit, but when he is in his rhythm, when he is in sparkling form, he is a player who can unbalance teams. Arrasate is the first who does not want to change the nature of the player.