Osasuna beat Villareal and aim for Europe

PFDC – PAMPLONA, A 2-1 victory over Villareal on Sunday continued CA Osasuna’s amazing run in Spanish La Liga.

At the beginning of the two-week winterbreak, the Basques are now in fifth position of the table and could only be overtaken by Malaga still on Sunday night.

Nevertheless, a fifth or sixth position in the final ranking in summer would mean a UEFA Europa League slot for Osasuna.

Javad Nekounam, after missing last week’s game due to suspension, played the full 90 minutes and showed an excellent performance. The Iranian national team captain almost scored himself, but was unlucky when his great shot came off the woodwork.

His compatriot Masoud Shojaei underwent a fourth foot operation last week and won’t return to action before April, one year after suffering the injury.

In Germany, Ashkan Dejagah played the full 90 minutes in Wolfsburg’s much needed 1-0 win over Vfb Stuttgart on Saturday.

Dejagah once more showed a convincing performance on the left wing.

Wolfsburg are now 12th in the standings and will look to make up ground to the top in the second season half, starting on January 20.

In Belgium, Reza Ghoochannejhad failed to add to this 10 goals as St. Truiden drew Mechelen 0-0 on Saturday.

With one more round to play ahead of a two-week winterbreak, St. Truiden are on bottom of the table.

‘Gucci’ remains second in the goalscorers’ ranking with ten goals scored, six behind leader Jeremy Perbet and is said to be on several club’s wishlist for a transfer in winter.