Tazskool

General Information

League: Spanish Primera (La Liga)
Club: Osasuna
Full Name: Club Atlético Osasuna
Nickname: Los Rojillos
Reputation: National
Ground: El Sadar, Pamplona
Capacity: 19,800 all seater with under-soil heating
Training Ground: Good facilities
Chairman: Patxi Izco
Director Of Football: Jose Antonio Martin Dominguez
Continental competition: EURO Cup
Key Players: Savo Milosevic, Cesar Cruchaga, Valdo
Board Expectations: Stay clear of relegation
Fans Expectations: Achieve a safe mid-table position


Finances

Balance: £691,797
Transfer Budget: £3.1M
Wage Budget: £400,000
Current Wage: £259,680
Wage Difference: £129,000
Average Wage: £4.95k p/w


General Impression

In my opinion, Osasuna are one of the most challenging clubs to manage in La Liga. A team not really expected to do too much, your first season involves adding to the squad and staying clear of relegation.

Upon taking over at Osasuna, you will notice you are given a generous transfer budget of £3.3 million. However, be wary of spending it all as your balance is only just over 600k, blowing all of your transfer money could put you into a few million pounds of debt.


Playing Staff

Between the sticks you have two first team keepers. Ex Man Utd keeper Ricardo, and Juan Elia. I think Ricardo is slightly better stat wise, but I usually play Juan Elia as his average rating is usually better.

After a quick glance at your squad, you will instantly notice the area you need to improve most is your defence, with Cruchaga, Izquierdo and Delporte the only good defenders. I would also recommend bringing in a new left back as Delporte is the only decent player who can play there. If you decide not to invest in any defenders, I suggest playing Delporte, Cruchaga, Josexto and Izquierdo in defence.

In midfield you may want to invest in two new wingers, as Delporte can cover Moha on the left, but should be played at left back as Clavero isn’t really up to the challenge. On the right wing Valdo is the first team regular, but Seguro and Sota aren’t good enough to be classed as first teamers. A centre midfielder is also a priority, as the only decent players there are Punal and Munoz who are both defensive midfielders, which some people may class as being too defensive.

Osasuna aren’t too bad up front, and could probably get through the first season without buying a new striker, although I would advise signing maybe one or two. My two first choice strikers would be Milosevic and Romeo, with Webo and Brit on the bench. I would advise putting Brit in the reserves once you bring a new striker in.

Up and Coming Players

Oscar Vega Salinas – Striker
Natxo Monreal - Defender
Raul Garcia – Attacking Midfielder

Players In

Raul Bravo – Left back, Real Madrid ‘B’
Thiago Motta – Midfielder, Barcelona ‘B’
Leo Messi – Attacking Midfielder, Barcelona ‘C’

Players Out

Marcelo Sosa
Javier Herreros

Backroom Staff

For a club the size of Osasuna, you may well be surprised with the staff they have. Both first team assistant managers are of very good quality, as are the coaches. In terms of signing new staff, I think bringing in a new physio and a scout or two would be the best option.

Best coach: Javier Vicuna
Best physio: Patxi Cipriain
Best scout: Xavier Ibanez


Tactics

At the start or the game I would advise playing a flat 4-4-2 with the two defensive midfielders in the middle. Once you bring in an attacking midfielder, I think a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Punal in defensive midfield would be the best option

Or you may want to play a 5-4-1 with Milosevic up front as the target man due to Osasuna’s poor defence.

My first choice starting eleven would be: Juan Elia, Delporte, Cruchaga, Josexto, Izquierdo, Moha, Punal, Munoz, Valdo, Milosevic, Romeo/Webo.


Conclusion

Osasuna are a good team to manage, and are a real challenge. Your first season involves strengthening the squad and avoiding relegation. In reality you should be finishing between 10th and 15th, but with the wrong signings and few injury problems, you could find yourself battling to stay in the division.