Merino and Osasuna seize the initiative

Osasuna fire first warning shot

It was a cagey opening to the encounter, with both teams well aware of what was at stake and showing each other plenty of respect. However, At. Osasuna soon shook off their nerves and sprang into action. Enrique Martin's charges took control of the game and began to threaten Manolo Reina's goal. Miguel de las Cuevas had the first sighter, but his shot across the bows whistled just wide via the outside of the post.    

 

Naranjo's gilt-edged miss

Gimnastic duly woke up and had a first opportunity of their own. Achille Emana, their outstanding performer of the first half, picked out Naranjo with a superb pass. The sharpshooter found himself one-on-one with Nauzet Perez, but his finishing wasn't too sharp on this occasion as he blazed over.

Merino strikes twice

One of the revelations of the season popped up once again – or, to be more accurate, twice – to show just why his name has been on so many people's lips. First the Osasuna starlet opened the scoring from David Garcia's deftly weighted corner. After the ball fell loose at the near post, Merino was the first to react and managed to guide his effort through a sea of legs and into the net. Then, just minutes before half-time, the midfielder doubled the scoreline and his own personal tally with another predatory finish, cushioning home after Reina had done well to keep out an initial strike following a free-kick.

Nauzet denies Emana and Kodro makes it three

Nastic came out after the restart clearly meaning business and Emana was on the verge of reducing the deficit. The Cameroonian had a go from virtually point-blank range, but Nauzet displayed terrific reflexes to keep out his attempt. Osasuna brushed off this early scare and were able to dominate proceedings again, so it was little surprise when the third goal arrived in the 58th minute. Kenan Kodro got it, drilling low and hard into the far corner from just inside the area.

Jean Luc hands Nastic lifeline

El Sadar was rocking by this point, although Jean Luc succeeded in taking some gloss off the party atmosphere. With Nastic reeling, the Ivorian climbed off the bench to deliver a moment of class, opening up his body and producing a sumptuous first-time finish off Mossa's cross. It was a beauty of a goal and left Vicente Moreno's men believing that they can pull off an epic comeback. We will find out whether this case in the tie's second and final instalment, this Saturday, 11 June.