Huesca's Cup Exit to Osasuna Shows Promise Despite Heartbreak
SD Huesca may have bowed out of the Copa del Rey against Primera División side Osasuna, but their performance has given the Segunda outfit renewed belief.
Huesca’s Cup Exit to Osasuna Shows Promise Despite Heartbreak
The Aragonese side pushed Primera División Osasuna to extra time before eventually succumbing, but their spirited display has given Antonio Hidalgo’s men a much-needed confidence boost heading into their crucial league fixture against table-toppers Racing Santander.
Putting Up a Proper Fight
Huesca might have been sent packing from the Copa del Rey last 16, but blimey, they made a right meal of it for Osasuna. The Segunda División outfit forced extra time against their top-flight opponents, who eventually needed to call upon their big guns – including Croatian striker Ante Budimir, whose goal put the final nail in the coffin for Huesca’s cup dreams.
Manager Bolo couldn’t hide his pride post-match despite the elimination: “I’m proud of my team, our supporters, the atmosphere.” The gaffer’s only disappointment was that they couldn’t quite pull off the upset after such a sterling performance.
Building Momentum
This cup showing wasn’t a one-off either. Following their victory against Cultural Leonesa and now this impressive display against Primera opposition, there’s a growing sense that Huesca are finally finding their feet with Bolo’s footballing philosophy.
Rather than feeling deflated, the squad seems energized by their cup exploits. The timing couldn’t be better as they prepare to host current Segunda División leaders Racing Santander on Saturday – the same Racing who knocked Villarreal out of the cup yesterday. Talk about a proper Christmas cracker of a fixture!
Team News
The only cloud on Huesca’s horizon is the fitness of midfielder Óscar Sielva, who missed the Osasuna clash with muscle issues. His availability for Saturday’s showdown remains up in the air, with a decision likely to come after the final training session.
If Sielva can’t make it in time, expect Portillo and Jesús Álvarez to continue their partnership in central midfield, the same duo that performed admirably in León.
For Huesca, what initially seemed like a disappointing cup exit has transformed into a timely confidence booster. As they say in the Barking and Dagenham, sometimes you’ve got to lose a battle to win the war – and their Segunda División campaign just got a shot in the arm despite the cup heartbreak.