Vitoria, Spain (Wednesday, November 15, 2023) – Club Atlético Osasuna and Deportivo Alavés played to a 2-2 draw in a friendly at Mendizorroza on Wednesday morning. Midfielder Kike Barja and forward Raúl García gave the lead to los rojillos on two separate occasions, but Alavés tied the game each time.

Osasuna started the match, creating distress on the Alavés side. In the fourth minute, forward Jose Araniz tried from 18 yards out, but the attempt was saved. In the 10^th minute, Raúl led the attack and fired a low shot, which was deflected by Alavés’ goalkeeper Adrían Rodríguez. However, Barja found the deflection and placed the ball in the back of the net. Once behind, Alavés started to take charge, but a solid defensive effort by los rojillos stopped them from the equalizer. The only time goalkeeper Aitor Fernández came into action was when defender Alex Sola tried with a long-range shot. Los rojillos almost increased the lead before the halftime whistle, but Raúl’s attempt was saved. As the half ended, defender Jorge Herrando scored an own goal as he tried to clear off a corner kick cross.

In the second half, Alavés knocked early when midfielder Abde Rebbach fired the ball from inside the box, but Fernández got a hand on it. Following that play, Osasuna started to become a more significant threat. In the 51^st minute, Barja won a corner after Alavés stopped a dangerous cross. Raúl connected a header from the corner, but his attempt went wide. In the 65th minute, Raúl scored when he fired right footed shot to the far post and past the goalie. As the game ended, Alavés tied the game with a header by forward Jon Karrikaburu.

Osasuna will close the week with a training session on Thursday and Friday in Tajonar. The next match for los rojillos will be on Sunday, November 26 at 2 p.m. CET (1 p.m. GMT/8 a.m. ET) when they face Villarreal at Estadio de la Cerámica.

BOX SCORE
Deportivo Alavés 2-2 CA Osasuna

GOALS:
OSA: Kike Barja 10'
ALA: Jorge Herrando (own goal) 45'
OSA: Raúl García 65'
ALA: Jon Karrikaburu 88'

Deportivo Alavés: A. Rodríguez (Sivera, m.46), R. Duarte (V. Parada, m.46), A. Sola, Blanco (Doumbia, m.46 (Guridi, m.66)), Karrikaburu, N. Tenaglia, Alkain (L. Rioja, m.75), Maras (Ropero, m.75), A. Rebbach (Kike García, m.75), Keller (Gorosabel, m.46), Selu Diallo (T. Mendes, m.46 (A. Pérez, m.75)).

C. A. Osasuna: Aitor Fdez., Nacho Vidal, Juan Cruz, Unai García, Kike Barja, Rubén García, Ibáñez, Jose Arnaiz, Raúl, Herrando, Iker Muñoz.

Referee: José Alberto Pardeiro Puente
Assistant referees: Francisco Navarro Carrero & José Miguel Alvarez Borbolla
Fourth official: Ilbon Urizar Díaz