Segunda rivals Osasuna host Reus in the Copa del Rey
Osasuna will host their Segunda rivals Reus on Wednesday night in the second round of the Copa del Rey. The two second division sides will make their 2018-19 cup debut with the fixture. It will be a single game, knockout style match between Osasuna and Reus, meaning the winner of the tie advances.
Rounds one through three of the Copa del Rey are single match rounds, and it isn’t until the fourth-round of matches that it becomes a two-legged affair. One of the two Segunda teams will go through on Wednesday while the other goes home.
Neither club has stared the Segunda season well. A win in the cup could be the exact thing they need to ignite some confidence and push on. However, a cup run may be the last thing either Osasuna or Reus managers want as both linger near the relegation zone. Host team Osasuna have tallied just four points from 12 possible.
Osasuna’s first win came in its last match against Almeria. The Pamplona side won 3-1 as Almeria sunk to their third loss of the young season.
Reus sit level on four points with Osasuna in the Segunda, but trail their cup opponents due to goal difference. Reus lost their last match against Albacete, 2-1. Manager Xavi Bartolo took the step up from assistant to interim coach last term. He was installed in the permanent job over the summer.
Bartolo hasn’t been able to find the magic cure to Reus’ problems. While Osasuna finished last term in mid-table obscurity, Reus managed to earn safety by just eight points. Reus finished the season with three straight losses and have carried that form over into the early stages of this term.
Osasuna have met Reus just twice in modern Spanish football history. The two teams played two bore nil-nil draws a season ago. Therefore, it shouldn’t be expected they will put on a shootout. Reus have struggled in the Copa del Rey in their last five matches. The club is winless during that stretch. In 2015-16, Reus did reach the round of 32, but were eliminated by Atletico Madrid. That same season saw Reus achieve promotion from the Segunda Group B to the Segunda division.
Osasuna have tallied just four goals while giving up five this term. Twice the team has been held scoreless in league play. The good news is Osasuna came to life in their last league match with three goals against Almeria. Following up that goal scoring performance may be difficult. Juan Villar leads Osasuna in goals with two. The 30-year-old may not start, if manager Jagoba Arrasate has his eyes on a promotion push this term.
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