Osasuna completed the first part of its plan by reaching the King’s Cup final for the first time in 18 years, thanks to a goal from Abde that capped a performance full of sharp moments and timely decisions. The match carried the weight of expectation, shifting between cautious defense and sudden bursts of pressure as both sides weighed their options for the decisive stage ahead.
The visitors from Arrasate’s squad showed a real-time shift in strategy under pressure, with the standout display coming from the Barça loan player Abde. His presence helped elevate Osasuna beyond a mere tactical plan, turning him into a focal point capable of lifting the team when it mattered most as expectations rose for tournaments that reward consistency and bite in big moments.
lightning tactic
The game unfolded as a standalone confrontation, in a Sadar crowd that witnessed record attendance following recent redevelopments. The atmosphere felt electric, the arena alive with voices that seemed to form a collective drive. Jagoba Arrasate set out to accelerate the tempo, opting for an attacking starting trio of Abde, Chimy Ávila, and Budimir to avoid excuses and seize the pace offered by the league schedule.
Opposite him, Athletic arrived buoyant after a run of hard results but still seeking a spark. The plan featured a notable selection shift: Martínez, who hadn’t played an official match since November, started. Abde immediately signaled a potential breakthrough in this blitz approach, a sign that a player can influence a game without stacks of quotes or headlines behind him—just instinct and tempo on the field.
The Moroccan forward wore a lean kit and showed a demand for disciplined defense from Athletic, who fought to stay compact behind the initial press while still probing for openings in attack. Muniain carried the work across the field, Navarrese in the stands carved their voices into the moment, and Sergio Herrera faced the daunting task of stabilizing the goal with calm and authority.
The magnifying glass at Gil Manzano
About a quarter-hour in, a goal appeal was ruled offside when Williams touched the ball into the net, prompting relief and a quick nod to the line. Earlier, the Madrid-born official had to manage a shot deflection from Muniain, a moment that injected energy into Athletic and sparked Sadar’s thunder through the stands. The first half offered a tense, physical duel with a few sharp attacks that tested both teams and left the scoreline in balance, with Berenguer and Vesga accumulating cautious cards from Gil Manzano as the clock wound on.
The referee, a familiar figure in Madrid derbies, had to explain more than a few decisions, keeping the pace tight and the rhythm controlled. The match stayed locked, with a robust, almost ceremonial air around the challenges, and respect edged into a touch of fear as moments of decisive action teased the crowd.
Abde’s spark
⚡️ Speed, tempo shift, and cage—these were the elements that defined Abde’s influence. A brilliant goal from Abde traveled across social feeds and highlight reels, a moment captured for the fans and noted by observers in real time.
The second half opened with the energy Jagoba Arrasate hoped for, and Abde delivered again, his presence on the field enough to tilt the balance. Vivian’s blush of danger disappeared as the Barça-loan forward found space and momentum to celebrate another important strike, echoing the impact he had earlier in the cup run against Sevilla in the quarter-finals, a performance now recalled as a potential turning point in the draw.
The goal originated from the boots of Moi Gómez, a player whose contributions often lift teams from the trenches. His impact reflected the careful scouting and planning of Osasuna’s sporting director Braulio Vázquez. After 18 years, Osasuna nudged the campaign toward a cup final, while Athletic carried a history of trophies but faced a night of challenges that forced Valverde to pivot his bench early, seeking stability and momentum from fresh legs.
last chance
Raúl García and Lekue departed during the first rotation, soon followed by Nico Williams and Guruzeta. Arrasate answered with Kike García and Rubén García, later joined by Kike Barja. Brasanac and Ibáñez entered the fray as the exchange of personnel continued, a reminder that cup ties demand fresh energy and clear plans under pressure. Two northern sides, fighting for the advantage, understood the necessity of patience as they waited for the return leg to unfold.
The contest could have swung wider, but Athletic failed to convert when momentum was available, with Guruzeta narrowly failing to beat Sergio Herrera in the closing moments of regulation. That miss left the result in the balance, ensuring the tie would go to a second leg in a neutral sense of time and place, where the faster, bolder approach would likely decide the shootout or extra play, depending on the day.
In the end, the two teams left Sadar with the sense that the outcome could still swing either way. Osasuna had shown a crisp, purposeful plan, anchored by Abde and supported by a chorus of contributors who understand how to convert pressure into scoring opportunities. Athletic, for its part, demonstrated resilience and the capacity to respond, even when a decisive moment did not swing their way. The cup journey continues, with the sense that the path to final glory will require precision, patience, and a touch of daring from both sides, and the audience ready to witness what comes next. Source attribution: coverage from Marca and Movistar+ provided contextual frames for this match report.