Deportivo La Coruna vs Osasuna preview - Oltra keen to avoid relegation scrap

Posted Monday, August 20, 2012 by PA

Deportivo La Coruna coach Jose Luis Oltra believes his side have enough quality to avoid a relegation battle this season, but insists his players still have to prove themselves at Primera Division level.

The Galicians sealed promotion from the Segunda Division at the first time of asking last season, amassing a record points tally, and Oltra is happy with how his pre-season preparations have gone.

He told AS: "This team has a lot of potential but still has to show it can compete.

"I see the team as good in both a physical form and the way we have been playing, but the target is to have three teams below us at the end of the season. The objective is survival and to stay in the Primera."

Osasuna are a side that have consistently proven themselves capable of avoiding the drop, despite working on a limited budget, and Oltra is full of admiration for Los Rojillos boss Jose Luis Mendilibar.

"They are a quick, intense and aggressive team," he said.

"Osasuna are a hard opponent, they had a great season last year which was based around the strength of the group and the character of the coach. The team is a reflection of his image."

Portugal international Nelson Oliveira is expected to make his Depor debut, while injuries to Ze Castro and Laure could also mean a start for Carlos Marchena.

Osasuna, meanwhile, could field up to four debutants after losing a number of the key players that carried them to seventh place last season - just outside the European berths.

And Mendilibar wants to get off to just as good a start this time round.

He told the club's website: "The friendlies have finished and now begins the serious stuff.

"The three points count and we will try to starting collecting them. We are where we need to be, at 100%. We need to start strongly."