Features
LUN 10.02.2014
With his height and deadly goal-scoring instinct he is CA Osasuna's new idol and king of goals. His name is Oriol Riera and at 27 years of age he is showing why he is one of the rojillos' stars in his first season in the Liga BBVA. His latest victim was Getafe CF, against whom he netted his ninth of the campaign (Osasuna have scored 21 goals in total).
The striker is in the midst of his first season with the team but his achievements as a player would have you think he had been at the club for a lifetime. As well as fighting for goals for the fans to enjoy every weekend, he boasts great dedication and sacrifice. He has found the net in eight matches, with a brace against Real Madrid CF in El Sadar, when the rojillos salvaged a valuable two-all draw.
Riera is following in the footsteps of Jan Urban. This old Osasuna fan-favourite was the club's last player to pocket nine goals in the first 23 matches, something he did in the 90/91 season, 23 years ago. The Pole finished that season with thirteen goals, four more than the Catalonian has with 15 games to play.
In addition, his goals usually bring in points. Riera has scored in four of his team's seven victories. He was particularly valuable on the road against Málaga CF, as it was his goal that gave Javi Gracia the three points.
The forward from Vic has scored 42.8% of the rojillos' goals, almost half, equalling another player who made a name for himself at Osasuna, Kike Sola. Riera has become one of the best Liga BBVA rookies, having left behind a Liga Adelante where he netted 18 times last season with AD Alcorcón.
If he keeps this up, Oriol Riera could make history with the side from Navarre. The player who learnt his trade in La Masía could set a new record for goals in a season for the team from Pamplona. Julián Vergara (20), Sabino Andonegui (15), Iván Rosado (14), and the above-mentioned Jan Urban (13) are the men to beat.
The mark of a great striker is clinical finishing and his finish against Villarreal CF was a genuine demonstration of his quality and one of the best goals in the Liga BBVA this season. Riera has a very bright future. Osasuna forms part of Riera and Riera is already the king of goals at Osasuna.
© LALIGA - 2014