Saturday evening's penultimate La Liga clash pitted Granada and Osasuna at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
Neither side could force a breakthrough in what was a disappointing first 45 minutes of action.
Granada had the better of the opportunities in the second period, but the tie ended all square following a low-key fixture.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes as Granada welcome Osasuna. Both sides enter the match off the back of positive league wins, but Osasuna excited the Copa del Rey during the week following a 4-0 aggregate loss to Real Madrid.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Granada have won three of the last five matches, with Osasuna winning once and the further fixture ending in a draw. As mentioned, the reverse clash earlier in the season ended in a 2-1 away success, while Granada were 3-0 winners on their own patch in the corresponding match last season.
TEAMS:
GRANADA: Roberto; Angulo, Mainz, Murillo, Nyom; Iturra, Rico, Recio, Brahimi; Piti, El Arabi
OSASUNA: Riesgo; Bertran, Loties, Arribas, Damia; Cejudo, Lolo, Silva; De las Cuevas, Armenteros, Riera
So there we have it. Still no Diego Buonanotte or Dani Benitez in the Granada XI, but Youssef El-Arabi and Piti both start. On-loan Malaga midfielder Recio is also selected following his double against Real Valladolid last time out. Osasuna, meanwhile, leave Roberto Torres and Raul Loe on the bench, but there is a start for Armenteros alongside Oriol Riera in attack.
It has been an indifferent season for Granada thus far. They have won seven of their 19 matches, losing 10 times in the process. That run of form has seen them collect 23 points, but they are just seven from the relegation zone. They are not expected to challenge for the top eight, but sit comfortably in ninth at this stage of the season.
They have struggled on their own patch, however, with just three wins and seven defeats from their 10 league games in this stadium. On the road, they have won four of their nine matches, which is more than the likes of Sevilla and Real Sociedad, who have the top four in their sights. Victory this evening could see them move above Valencia in the table.
Osasuna, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of two successive league wins over Espanyol and Real Betis. They were knocked out of the Copa del Rey last-16 stage by Real Madrid during the week, but now sit comfortably in 14th position in the table. That said, they are just five points outside the relegation zone.
They have won six of their 19 matches this season, with three wins coming at home and three arriving on the road. Goals have been a major problem, however, with just 17 in their 19 matches, which is the second-worst record in the league. What’s more, seven of those have come from Oriol Riera, which is an indication of their troubles.
Down the other end, they have conceded 29 times, which is about average in relation to the rest of the league. Granada also boast a similar defensive record having conceded 25 times, while they have found the back of the net on 19 occasions. The indications are that we will not have too many goals this evening.
PREDICTION: Both sides enter the match in a decent run of form, but Osasuna have arguably played the better football in the last couple of weeks. They were able to rest players mid-week against Madrid and therefore tiredness will not be an excuse. There is something about Osasuna at the moment that is making me lean towards them. My score prediction is a 2-1 away win.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for entertainment on this mild evening in Spain. Right, the home side get the first 45 minutes underway at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
Not a full house inside the stadium - far from it in fact - but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that the first goal could be decisive in this type of match. Neither side has really been allowed to settle in the opening couple of moments on this breezy evening in Granada.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking possession in the early exchanges, but Osasuna have enjoyed a strong period with the ball. Cejudo attempts to once one towards Riera inside the box, but Angulo is on hand to clear the danger. The surface water on the pitch should create an entertaining fixture.
There appears to be a problem for Armenteros as the Osasuna forward hits the deck following a challenge with Roberto, but the Argentine does return to his feet moments later. I suspect that the referee could have a tough task on his hands this evening with the challenges that are likely to occur on this surface. Still no opportunities for either side inside six minutes here.
Granada have taken control of the possession in the last couple of moments with Brahimi and Piti stretching the play in wide positions. Eventually Iturra works the ball towards Nyom, who delivers into the box, but Lolo is on hand to clear. Slightly untidy period of the match at the moment with the score still goalless.
Again Brahimi is the architect for the home side as he cuts inside two defenders before facing up to Damia, but the Spaniard is on hand to clear the danger. Riera, however, remains isolated in the final third. It is almost as if both sides are just facing each other up and waiting for something to happen. Iturra does try his luck from outside the box, but it whistles wide.
It's bright work from Rico as the Granada midfielder drives down the left before delivering a low cross into the box, but Lolo clears under pressure from El-Arabi. Osasuna attempt to break, but they cannot keep hold of the ball as the home side continue to press.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a series of players hitting the deck in quick succession. However, the official is taking into account the state of the pitch. Still no clear opportunities for either side with 15 minutes on the clock. We are in desperate need of a spark here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Cejudo finds Riera, who twists inside the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. That is the closest that either side have come inside 16 minutes.
The tempo has risen following a fairly drab opening 15 minutes or so, but both sides have been guilty of losing possession too easily in the final third. Osasuna again feed Riera inside the Granada box moments later, but he cannot turn away from the challenge of the skipper Mainz.
Untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges, which are interrupting the flow of proceedings. Both of these sides have struggled to score goals this season and it is not too difficult to see why that is the case.
Half-chance for the home side as Murillo is felled down the right by Damia. The resulting set piece is taken by Piti, but his cross is cleared by Loties. Osasuna attempt to break down the other end with Cejudo, but the Spaniard asks too much from Riera, who has been left isolated in the last few moments.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Granada to take the lead as Angulo delivers a sensational cross towards the far post, but Riera just manages to beat Iturra to the ball on the line. The end-to-end period continues as Osasuna break down the other end, but Mainz clears once more.
The home side have certainly turned up the heat in the last couple of moments with Recio and Rico influencing the match in the final third, but they still cannot find the back of the net. You just get the feeling that they need to score during this positive period. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in this La Liga contest.
Just a reminder that following this match we have live text coverage of Espanyol against Celta Vigo - be sure to remain with us for that. In case you have missed the action this afternoon, Real Madrid were 5-0 winners away to Real Betis earlier, before Elche beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0.
El-Arabi takes matters into his own hands moments later as he strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Osasuna drive a deep free kick into the Granada box moments later, but it comes to nothing. It must be said that the overall quality has been short of the required standard.
It has been a 'nearly' first half thus far with both sides 'nearly' finding that final pass, but each move breaking down in the final third. There is no real atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is not helping the players. Osasuna remain a threat on the counter, but Riera needs more support in the final third.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as El-Arabi drives past Damia before finding Recio on the edge of the box, but the midfielder can only sweep his effort wide of the post. The better chances have fallen to Osasuna this evening.
Osasuna continue to pass and probe on the edge of the Granada box, but they just cannot find a way through the home side's stern defence. Brahimi delivers a low cross into the Osasuna box moments later, but Cejudo is across to clear. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
The home supporters continue to create a strong atmosphere inside the stadium as their side turn up the heat once more. They force a free kick on the right when Armenteros handles, but Recio slices wide after being picked out by Piti. That has been the story of the first period thus far.
Osasuna have won two of their last four games on the road and will therefore feel confident of taking something from this match as they continue to repel the danger from Granada. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to collect all the points this evening. Both have struggled to find the back of the net in La Liga this season.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for El-Arabi as Piti finds his strike partner inside the Osasuna box, but Riesgo is on hand to make a fine save at the vital moment.
HALF TIME: Granada 0-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Granada have had the majority of the chances, but neither has done enough to deserve to be leading at this stage of proceedings. Let's hope for more action in the second 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 69%, while they have had eight attempts to Osasuna's three. That said, Granada have tested Riesgo just once, with the Osasuna stopper called into action to deny the lively El-Arabi from close range later in the half.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Benitez, Buonanotte, Riki and Pereira. Meanwhile, Osasuna have the likes of Roberto Torres, Acuna and Loe in reserve this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Espanyol against Celta Vigo - be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect changes will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. The onus is on Granada to force the issue as the home side and they have made a positive start to the half with Iturra embarking on a mazy run.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Piti slides a low pass towards El-Arabi, who takes control in a crowded box. However, Loties stands his ground and manages to clear at the vital moment. Brilliant defending from the Frenchman, who has impressed this season. It remains goalless with 50 minutes on the clock in this La Liga contest.
Half-chance for Osasuna as Cejudo embarks on a powerful run before striking towards goal, but his effort was always rolling wide of the post despite an exaggerated dive from Roberto. Moments later, Angulo tests Riesgo from outside the box, but the Osasuna stopper is more than equal to the danger.
It's good work from Osasuna as Riera combines with Cejudo before feeding Armenteros, but the Argentine had moved into an offside position at the vital moment. Granada break down the other end with Recio, but his low effort moves wide of the post. It remains goalless with little more than 35 minutes of football remaining at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and still the match remains goalless. We are getting to the stage where both managers will be thinking about changes. You just get the feeling that Osasuna are going to get an opportunity on the counter as the home side continue to press forward. Granada continue to dominate possession with Iturra and Piti heavily involved.
Half-chance for the home side as Piti finds some space outside the box before curling a cross towards El-Arabi, but the offside flag had been raised. A period of pressure follows moments later, but it is brought to an end with Recio fells Silva on the edge of the box. Still we wait for the first goal in the penultimate La Liga match of Saturday evening.
Half-chance for Bertran this time as the Osasuna defender drives past two defenders before curling one towards the top corner, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. That has been the story of Osasuna's threat thus far. It is a surprise that neither manager has looked to their bench at this stage in proceedings. Both have a wealth of attacking talent in reserve.
Untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges, which is not helping the flow of the match. Granada continue to dominate possession of the ball, but clear chances have been at a premium in this half. Little over 25 minutes remaining.
El-Arabi is again the main threat for Granada as Recio slides a low pass towards the forward, but Riesgo is quick off his line once more. Osasuna open up down the other end, but Lolo's low cross is cleared by Mainz. Moments later, Osasuna make the first change of the match with Roberto Torres replacing Cejudo.
Granada make their first change of the match with little more than 20 minutes remaining as El-Arabi is replaced by Riki, which is a surprise. That shows that Lucas Alcaraz would rather draw this match than push for the win and possibly lose. Osasuna have just started to enjoy their best spell of possession as the second period continues to gather pace.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Barcelona as Espanyol welcome Celta Vigo - be sure to remain with us for that one. Still not too much to report in this particular contest. In truth, a goalless draw would not be the worst result for either side. It appears to be heading that way at the moment.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Lolo is the latest player to have his name taken following a poor challenge on Riki. However, the resulting free kick is played short and is eventually cleared. Still goalless.
In truth, it would be unjust if Osasuna do claim all three points from this match. Granada have been the better team from the first minute, but their finishing has let them down on a number of occasions. The fact that the stadium is almost silent is not helping the intensity on the field as we approach the final 10 minutes of action.
Half-chance for Granada as Recio finds Piti with a clipped cross to the far post, but his header is high of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that there will be one clear chance in the final 10 minutes or so. If it comes to Osasuna, then it would indeed be smash and grab at this stage.
Osasuna make their second change of the match with Acuna replacing De las Cuevas, which is a very positive change from the away side. Osasuna continue to probe in the final third, but have not really threatened Roberto at any point during the second period.
Nervy moment for Roberto as the Granada goalkeeper comes to claim a through pass from Riera, but ends up losing the flight. Luckily for the stopper he does manage to gather under pressure from Acuna. Granada break down the other end moments later, but Riesgo punches clear under pressure from Recio.
Granada have had twice as many shots as their opponents this evening, but have still been unable to find the back of the net. Osasuna's threat continues in wide positions, but Torres twice over-cooks his cross and Granada regain possession of the ball.
CHANCE! It's brilliant work from Piti as the Granada forward drops his shoulder outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but his effort just whistles wide of the post. Osasuna make their third and final change moments later as Riera is replaced by Oier. Clear sign that a point will suffice for the away side.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. Granada pass and probe outside the Osasuna box, but yet another move breaks down when Piti delivers into the arms of Riesgo. Time is running out.
FULL TIME: Granada 0-0 Osasuna
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Espanyol against Celta. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
