Osasuna welcomed Levante to Pamplona on Sunday knowing that three points would move them out of the relegation zone in La Liga.
The home side had the best of the opportunities in the first period, but could not make the breakthrough with the scores level at the interval.
Levante won it late on, however, when Jordi Xumetra tapped home from close range after Pape Diop had been denied from the penalty spot.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sunday’s La Liga action opens from Pamplona as Osasuna welcome Levante. It has been a difficult start to the season for the home side, who have managed just three points from their six matches thus far. However, it has been a solid start for Levante, with a total of seven points leaving them in 11th position in the table.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it does not make good reading for Levante. Of the last five matches, Osasuna have won four, with Levante also picking up a win. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 4-0 win for Osasuna, who were also 2-0 winners when they travelled to Levante in February.
Osasuna opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Granada, before suffering two more comprehensive defeats to Athletic Bilbao and at home to Villarreal. They did register their second goal of the season one week later, but it ended in a 2-1 defeat to Getafe. They did pick up their first three points on week four with a 2-1 win over Elche, but lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in midweek.
For a team that struggled in La Liga last season, Osasuna’s home form was quite impressive. They won seven of their 19 matches, picking up 26 points in the process. However, it was their away form that cost them with just three wins on the road. It is no secret that they are one of the favourites to go down this season and will see this match as a must win.
Levante, meanwhile, began their season in the worst possible fashion with a thumping 7-0 defeat against Barcelona. They recovered to secure a credible 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla, before picking up their first three points of the season with an impressive 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Three successive draws have since followed against Real Sociedad, Almeria and Real Valladolid.
After finishing sixth in the 2011-2012 campaign, Levante, who had returned to Spain's top flight in 2010, had been expected to push on last season. It didn't quite happen for the Valencia-based outfit, however, with the club having to settle for an 11th-place finish in Spain's top flight, but they were 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
If Levante are top push up the table this season, they must improve on their away form from last season. They took 18 points from their 19 matches, far from disastrous, but that included just four wins – the same number as Real Zaragoza, who were relegated. A top-half finish is not beyond them, but these are the type of matches that they simply have to be winning.
TEAMS:
OSASUNA XI: Fernandez; Damia, Loties, Bertran, Arribas; Punal, Sisi, Silva, De las Cuevas; Armenteros, Riera
LEVANTE XI: Navas; Lell, Juanfran, Lopez, Vyntra; Rodas, Diop; El Zhar, Garcia, Simao; Diawara
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Osasuna XI this morning with Oriol Riera once more leading the line alongside the Argentine Armenteros. However, Roberto Torres is still out of action. Levante, meanwhile, leave Sergio Pinto on the bench, but Simao Junior, Ruben Garcia and Nabil El Zhar all start in an attacking lineup.
PREDICTION: It hasn't quite been the start for Osasuna would have wanted this evening, especially after their struggles last season. However, they had a good record in this stadium last season and their home form will surely determine their final position this season. Levante have been solid rather than spectacular thus far, however, and therefore I am going to back a score draw in Pamplona.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Three points for Osasuna would move them out of the relegation zone, while Levante could move into the top eight with all three points. The home side get the action underway on this warm afternoon in Pamplona.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. Bright start from Osasuna as Silva's flick finds Riera on the edge of the box, but Lell is across to challenge at the vital moment. Let's hope for an entertaining fixture in Sunday's opener from La Liga.
Early concern for Diawara as the Levante striker clashes with Loties, but the powerful forward does return to action following a brief spell of treatment. Neither side has been allowed to settle in the early stages with both enjoying spells of possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of cagey affair.
Half-chance for Riera as the Osasuna striker meets a deep cross from Silva, but he can only plant his header wide of the post. Levante are down the other end with Simao moments later, but his through pass towards Diawara is collected by Andres Fernandez. Meanwhile, the home supporters continue to make their voices heard in the opening stages in Pamplona.
Half-chance for Diop to threaten the Osasuna defence as he stands over a free kick outside the box, but his delivery moves high and wide of the crossbar. Fairly cagey affair at the moment with both sides guilty of losing possession far too readily in the final third. The heat will obviously play a part with the temperatures rising in Pamplona at around 12.08pm local time.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of making a number of late challenges. A smart header from Diawara almost finds Ruben Garcia in the Osasuna box moments later, but Fernandez is on hand to collect at the vital moment.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match comes to the home side as Riera pulls off the last defender before attempting to slide his effort into the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. That has certainly raised the atmosphere inside the stadium. Not too much from Levante in front of goal in the opening 12 minutes of action.
Vyntra collects the first yellow card of the match for a late challenge on Silva. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Armenteros, but it evades everyone before moving out for a goal kick. Without sounding like a broken record, the atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon is simply sensational. It is helping the tempo of the match, which has just started to rise. Still goalless in Pamplona.
CHANCE! Another wonderful opportunity for the home side and indeed Riera as the Spaniard meets a cross from Bertran, but Navas is across to make a fine save. The resulting corner is delivered into the near post, but Lell is on hand to clear. One-way traffic at the moment with the home side forcing a couple of good chances in quick succession.
Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about at the moment with Osasuna playing all the football in this La Liga affair. A rare opportunity does come to Levante as Diawara attempts to lift his effort over Fernandez from close range, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar. There is no question that the match is starting to open up with 20 minutes on the clock.
Osasuna continue to force the issue as De las Cuevas delivers two dangerous crosses into the box in quick succession, but the first is headed clear by Juanfran before Navas comes to claim the second. Diawara's pace remains the main outlet for Levante, but the quality into the pacey striker has been short of the required standard thus far.
El Zhar takes matters into his own hands moments later as he collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but it deflects behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is whipped into the box by Diop, but it is straight into the arms of Fernandez. Still goalless with 24 minutes on the clock in Pamplona.
Diawara continues to cause problems for Osasuna as he finds a pocket of space inside the box, but his effort is blocked by Damia. De las Cuevas is down the other end for the home side moments later, but his powerful effort is pushed wide of the post by Navas. Slight problem for Vyntra, meanwhile, as the Levante falls to the ground holding his thigh.
CHANCE! The opportunities continue to pile up for the home side as a mistake from Navas presents the ball to Armenteros inside the box, but the Levante stopper does get back to make a fine save at the second time of asking. The pressure continues with a deep ball towards Riera, but Juanfran manages to hook clear at the vital moment.
One-way traffic as Osasuna continue to pass and probe outside the Levante box, but the final pass is just wide of the mark at the moment. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about, however, with Diawara cutting an isolated figure in the final third. Still goalless with little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Pamplona.
Better from Levante in the last couple of moments as they force two corners in quick succession. However, the first is headed behind by Loties before Vyntra heads wide of the target from close range. If it were a boxing match, Osasuna would certainly be winning on points, but you just wonder whether they will be made to pay for missed opportunities - and they have had a few.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. El Zhar threatens to strike an effort on goal after good work from Diawara inside the Osasuna box, but Damia is across to make the challenge. Still goalless with 36 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Riera's best chance of the match arrives five minutes before the interval as the Osasuna striker meets a loose save from Navas, but somehow he fires his effort high and wide of the crossbar from close range. It would be no exaggeration to say that he could have had three in this first period.
Armenteros comes close to finding the back of the net after good work from Riera, but the Argentine can only place his effort wide of the post. Plenty of encouragement for the home supporters in the first period, but the score remains goalless. Wouldn't it be just like Osasuna's season if Levante went down the other end and registered before the interval.
Good spell for Levante in the last couple of moments with Ruben Garcia and Diawara both having attempts from inside the box, but Damia is on hand to clear on each occasion. Osasuna break through De las Cuevas moments later, but his cross is high into the stands. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for Armenteros as the Osasuna striker finds a pocket of space inside the box, but once more he can only fire his effort wide of the target, which has been the story of the first period. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the half.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Diawara to send Levante into the lead in first-half stoppage time, but somehow he diverts wide from a wonderful Garcia cross. Moments later, Silva picks up a card for a late challenge on Diop. Lively end to the opening 45 minutes.
HALF TIME: Osasuna 0-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Osasuna have certainly enjoyed the better of the chances with Riera missing two or three guilt-edged opportunities, but Levante have also had their moments with Diawara twice coming close to registering for the away side.
STATISTICS: Osasuna have utterly dominated the possession thus far with 73%, while they have had nine attempts - four of which have been on target - to Levante's two. The referee has been forced to issue four yellow cards in the first period, but in truth, it has not been an untidy match in that regard.
BENCH WATCH: The home side are without a number of first-team players through injury this afternoon, but they do have options on the bench in the shape of Nunez, Manuel and Cejudo. Levante, meanwhile, have the likes of Ivanschitz, David Barral and Xumetra in reserve. It is a match that could ultimately be decided from the bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. As it stands, Osasuna would move out of the bottom three, while Levante would move into ninth. Right, the away side get the second period underway.
Bright start to the second period from Levante as Diop delivers a dangerous corner into the Osasuna box, but Damia manages to clear under pressure from El Zhar. Osasuna are down the other end with Silva moments later, but the Chilean has his pocket picked by Rodas. High-tempo start to the second 45 minutes.
CHANCE! The first chance of the second period falls to the away side as El Zhar drives into the box before rolling a cross towards Garcia, but Fernandez manages to claim at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if we indeed have one - will be vital in this type of match.
A loose pass from Loties presents Levante with the chance to break down the right, but El Zhar loses control at the vital moment. Change for Levante, meanwhile, as El Adoua replaces Vyntra, who had been struggling with an injury in the first period. Still the home supporters raise their voices in an attempt to drive their team into the Levante half.
Levante have the ball in the back of the net as Diawara finishes off a low cross from El Zhar, but the linesman had his flag raised, much to the frustration of the striker. Replays have shown that it was indeed the correct decision. Osasuna are down the other end with Pedro Lopez moments later, but his cross is deflected behind for a corner.
Another half-chance comes to Loties as the Osasuna defender meets a header from Arribas, but he can only flick his effort over the crossbar. Riera has the ball in the back of the net moments later, but the Osasuna striker had moved into an offside position. Still goalless with little more than 30 minutes remaining in Pamplona.
Osasuna make their first change of the afternoon as Ariel Nunez replaces De las Cuevas, who has struggled to influence proceedings thus far. Levante break down the other end with Diawara moments later, but he loses control at the vital moment, allowing Fernandez out to make the clearance.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Levante continue to force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession, but the quality from the set pieces has been short of the required standard thus far this afternoon. Still goalless in Pamplona.
Both sides would have earmarked this match as the chance to record three points and that is certainly the indication at the moment with both teams committing players to each attack. Levante force yet another corner after good work from Rodas, but Garcia's cross is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper, before Simao heads wide of the target moments later.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match falls to Diawara as the Levante striker rounds Fernandez before attempting to slide his effort into the empty net, but Loties is across with a stunning challenge. The danger is not over, however, as Diop wins a free kick just outside the box following a challenge from Arribas.
Garcia takes the resulting set piece, but he fires his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Good spell for the away side at the moment as they continue to force the issue down each wing. Osasuna attempt to break with Riera moments later, but the Spaniard runs into traffic inside the box, before being felled just outside the area.
Osasuna make their second change of the match as Riera, who could have had a hat-trick this afternoon, is replaced by Omwu. The latter has certainly had an effect on each game he has entered this season and Osasuna will hope that is the case in the final 20 minutes. We are getting to the stage where one goal could be enough to secure all the points.
Half-chance for the home side as Nunez meets a corner from Sisi, but he can only direct his header wide of the post from close range. End-to-end football at the moment as El Zhar drives down the left for Levante, but he runs into traffic inside the box. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in Pamplona.
CROSSBAR! Levante come within a whisker of taking the lead as Simao's cross is met by Diop, but his header moves off the top of the crossbar. It is going to take something like that to open the scores this afternoon. You wonder what it would do to their season if Osasuna lost this match having been the better side for long periods.
Levante make their third and final change of the match as El Zhar, who is less than impressed with the decision, is replaced by Ivanschitz. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment with each committing numbers to each attack. I would be surprised if there was not at least one goal in the final 13 minutes or so.
Half-chance for Diop as the Levante midfielder collects possession outside the box before attempting to plant his effort into the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Meanwhile, the atmosphere remains electric in the stadium with both sets of supporters in fine voice. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Osasuna make their third and final change of the afternoon as Sisi is replaced by Cejudo. In truth, a draw would not be the worst result for either of these two sides, but Osasuna will feel that they have done enough to pick up all three. Still more than enough time for a late sting in the tail here.
CHANCE! Oh my word how has he missed?! Wonderful opportunity for Arribas to send Osasuna into the lead as he it falls to him some 10 yards from goal, but he thumps his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Levante break down the other end with Diawara moments later, but he is crowded out inside the box.
One-way traffic at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the Levante half, but their final ball has been poor in the last couple of minutes. The ball has not spent too much time on the ground recently with the Levante defence forced to deal with a number of aerial challenges. Little under five minutes of normal time remaining.
PENALTY TO LEVANTE!
The away side are awarded a penalty as Loties is adjudged to have pulled Garcia to the ground inside the box. What a moment. Not a popular decision with the home supporters. It will be Diop to take.
GOAL! Osasuna 0-1 Levante (Xumetra)
Wow! Fernandez makes a fine save to deny Diop, but it falls to Xumetra, who tucks his effort into the bottom corner. It is tough on the Osasuna stopper. What a three points this would be for the away side.
One-way traffic at the moment as Osasuna continue to launch high balls into the Levante box, but the away side's defence continues to stand strong. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. Time is running out for Osasuna.
RED CARD! Osasuna are reduced to 10 men as Cejudo is given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after challenging Juanfran. Handbags between both sets of players and indeed benches in the final moments of this match. It has just exploded into life.
We enter the fourth additional minute with the referee adding time following the red card. Osasuna continue to force high balls into the Levante box, it falls to Arribas, but his effort is blocked by Juanfran. Can Levante hold on?
FULL TIME: Osasuna 0-1 Levante
So there we have it. Levante pick up just their second league win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 3.30pm for three more back-to-back La Liga live commentaries. Until then!
