Real Sociedad vs Osasuna Preview - Away-day blues don't consume Osasuna

Posted Sunday, February 13, 2011 by PA

Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez insists his side are not dwelling on their miserable away form as they prepare to make the short trip to Real Sociedad.

Osasuna are the only top-flight team yet to win away this season and their record of two points from a possible 33 on the road is easily the worst return in the division.

The Pamplona-based side have not tasted victory on their travels in over a year - a run stretching 20 league and cup games - but Ricardo said: "There's no obsession about winning away from home. All the teams know that it's very difficult to win away. Apart from Barca, the other 17 teams are having to suffer to do it."

However, with things so tight at the bottom of the table, the former Manchester United man is well aware that every point, be it home or away, is crucial in their fight to avoid the drop.

Osasuna are one of five teams lying just a point above the drop zone, and there are only three points separating Almeria in 19th place from Real Zaragoza in 12th.

Ricardo said: "There have been results that were unexpected, like Levante's win over Villarreal (last weekend). Things are very even and there are a lot of teams within two or three points. As such, every point is golden."

Regarding the trip to San Sebastian, the veteran goalkeeper added: "We won 2-1 there in the year we finished fourth (2005/06 season), but that's water under the bridge.

"Real are a good team, their players are aggressive and play with a lot of intensity and that's why they've got 28 points."

Sociedad lost 4-1 at Real Madrid last weekend, but despite that defeat last season's Segunda Division champions are still in a healthy position in the table, sitting 10th on 28 points.

That leaves the Basque outfit nine points adrift of the European places and seven clear of the relegation zone.

However, Sociedad have lost their way a bit in recent times, losing six of their last eight matches, and coach Martin Lasarte said: "We have to get back to being ourselves, recover the strength that we had and that we showed at the start of the season at Anoeta."

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