Weissman at the double to guide Pucela past Osasuna

LaLiga Santander

Matchday 13

Friday December 11th, 2020

Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain

REAL VALLADOLID 3

Shon Weissman 7’, 76’; Fabián Orellana (Pen.) 56’

OSASUNA 2

Ante Budimir 27’; Roberto Torres 43’

Real Valladolid overcame Osasuna on Friday night, thanks to a brace from summer signing Shon Weissman as the Israeli marked his first goals for the club.

Following last week’s industrious, but ultimately fruitless, performance in the 2-0 loss at Atlético Madrid, Sergio reverted to his traditional 4-4-2 formation. Marcos André, who had operated in the lone-striker role at the Wanda Metropolitano, was joined in attack by Weissman. Óscar Plano flipped over to the left flank and the central partnership of Rubén Alcaraz and Roque Mesa was retained, with the recalling of Fabián Orellana on the right. In defence, Javi Sánchez and Pablo Hervías dropped to the bench in favour of Joaquín Fernández and Saidy Janko respectively.

Pucela began the match brightly and went ahead inside the opening ten minutes. Plano and Orellana exchanged passes down the right flank and Janko was on hand to gather in a loose ball to keep the move alive. He fed it forward for Plano and Weissman indicated where he wanted the pass. The striker delayed his run for a split-second to freeze the defender before Plano clipped the ball neatly over the top. Weissman controlled well and spun round before putting an angled shot out of reach of Sergio Herrera to claim his first goal in a blanquivioleta shirt. That also gave Plano a total of two assists and one goal in a three-match span as the midfielder enjoys somewhat of a renaissance.

However, the visitors got back on level terms shortly before the half-hour mark and it came through Ante Budimir who had been a transfer target for Real Valladolid during the summer. The Croatian landed in Navarre on a loan deal from relegated Real Mallorca where he had scored 19 goals in 57 appearances for the island club. This was the second time he had found the net for his new side and it came as he stole in behind Joaquín and headed in a deep cross from Oier.

Osasuna tried to exploit the striker’s aerial ability and swung in a series of deliveries throughout the opening 45 minutes. Just three minutes after their equaliser, Janko was caught out of position and allowed Rubén García the chance to telegraph a cross for the tall forward but he was unable to connect. They found success two minutes before the break when a throw-in by Juan Cruz from the left flank, deep in the hosts’ half, was intended for Budimir. It evaded him but found it’s way to Rubén García who attempted a half-volley as he boxed out home defenders Nacho and Bruno. Although García couldn’t connect, the ball ran through to Roberto Torres who slammed home past Jordi Masip to grab the lead.

There was still time for one more Osasuna opportunity prior to half-time, with a free-kick into the box deflecting off Bruno and into the face of Budimir which caused Masip to scramble across and hook the ball off his line for point blank range.

After the restart, shell-shocked Pucela looked to start chipping away at the visitors’ growing control of the match and were handed a gift on 53 minutes. Real Valladolid took a corner which was headed over the bar by Joaquín, but – as the defender got his head to the ball – he was clattered to the ground by a clumsy intervention from goalkeeper Herrera who never looked like making a play on the ball. The hosts were awarded a penalty, which was duly dispatched by Orellana. The little Chilean sent Herrera to the left as he stroked the ball high to the right to claim his second spot-kick goal of the season and draw his team level.

Credit must go to the defensive unit in the second half for weathering the storm of Osasuna’s dominance which, in truth, had been somewhat curtailed by the half-time break. Coming into this match, Real Valladolid had lost a total of eight crucial points through conceding second-half goals, but they nullified the visitors’ threats and allowed Pucela to become more comfortable with the ball and mount their own attacks. Roque Mesa continued to be effective in midfield before being replaced on 74 minutes with Kike Pérez.

Marcos André showed his desire to add to his tally of three goals – despite having the least touches of any outfield player who clocked up 90 minutes – when he drew a save from Herrera by running in from the left and hitting a shot across the face of goal which was touched away by the keeper.

He did, however, play a part in what turned out to be the winning goal. He won the ball in his own half and played it on to Hervías, who played a quick interchange with fellow second-half substitute Jota, before delivering a tantalising cross from the right and Weissman exploited a gap between Torres and Aridane Hernández to nod the ball into the net.

Osasuna hit the panic button in the closing stages and played with three strikers, but Sergio countered with a 5-4-1 look, sacrificing Weissman for Javi Sánchez to add to the defensive line. They held firm despite a late scare in the 94th minute when Jonathan Calleri broke through but put his chance wide left and Real Valladolid were able to claim maximum points against a direct rival. This could prove to be crucial towards the end of the season.

Both sides earn a brief respite from league duty as attentions turn to the Copa del Rey in midweek. Real Valladolid take on C.D. Cantolagua while Osasuna travel to Tomares.

REAL VALLADOLID (4-4-2): Jordi Masip (Capt.); Nacho, Bruno, Joaquín, Saidy Janko (Pablo Hervías 65’), Óscar Plano, Rubén Alcaraz (Fede San Emeterio 84’), Roque Mesa (Kike Pérez 74’), Fabián Orellana (jota 75’), Marcos André, Shon Weissman (Javi Sánchez 85’).

Subs unused: Roberto; Raúl Carnero, Jawad El Yamiq, Toni Villa, Míchel, Sergi Guardiola, Waldo

OSASUNA (4-4-2): Sergio Herrera; Juan Cruz (Enric Gallego 83’), David García, Aridane Hernández, Nacho Vidal (Darko Branasac 83’), Rubén García (Enrique Barja 90’), Jon Moncayola, Oier (Igo Pérez 90’), Robert Torres, Jonathan Calleri, Ante Budimir.

Subs unused: Rubén Martínez, Iñaki Álvarez; Unai García, Facundo Roncaglia, Raúl Navas, Javi Martínez, Brandon, Kike Saverio.