Aitor Fernández's standout performance in goal at Atlético Madrid has sparked a debate over who should be Osasuna's starting goalkeeper. The 35-year-old Basque made seven saves in his first La Liga start of the season, though the team fell to a 4-0 defeat at the Metropolitano on Monday.
Fernández, in his fifth season at the club and with a contract until the end of the campaign, wore the captain's armband in a match where the Navarrese defence again showed vulnerability. Osasuna has conceded twelve goals in six matchdays, sitting 13th in the table with seven points. The loss in Madrid was their third consecutive in the competition, following defeats to Espanyol (0-2) and Alavés (5-2).
Ramis's Dilemma
Manager Luis Miguel Ramis must now decide whether to keep faith with Fernández or recall Sergio Herrera for the next fixture. The match is this Saturday at El Sadar against 11th-placed Rayo Vallecano. A section of the Osasuna support is calling for the veteran keeper to keep his place after his individual display.
"You work for this and you concede four, it's worth nothing," Fernández stated after the match, expressing his frustration. The goalkeeper added that the collective must improve: "We have to stop the bleeding of goals against us, because like this it's difficult."
The last time Fernández started a league game last season was also against Atlético, after replacing a sent-off Herrera against Levante. Osasuna face a Rayo side they beat 1-3 in their last visit to Vallecas, a fact visible in our results history. With Ante Budimir as top scorer with four goals, the immediate priority is fixing the defensive issues. The upcoming fixtures schedule includes this key clash to halt the poor run and climb the standings.
First reported at Mundo Deportivo
