Hinchas y Jugadores - Osasuna with Ignasi Torné (10th May, 2017)

You see that logo above this blog post? The one that looks amazing? It was designed by this guy, Ignasi Torné.

Aka Naxto, he is a blogger, writer, traveler...you name it. Check out his blog here, and follow him on Twitter here and on Instagram here.

A bit about yourself and your background

As I use to say, born and bred in Barcelona. I studied Marketing, Advertisement and Tourism Management. What I do? Travel, loving art in its several expressions, read fast literature and link my life with football. This is how I discovered my vision of life, travel for football. As easy as that.

How long have you been a fan of Osasuna and what made you support them in the first place?

It is not the first team I supported. Since 4 years ago, I can say that it currently is the team that I follow in Spain, because it’s interesting how passionate every game is for an Osasuna fan. Besides, I am very linked with Navarra, its traditions and people. I really love Iruña (Pamplona in Basque) and how Osasuna fans live football there. Old football essence and you can feel the British atmosphere due the stadium, fans and the way Osasuna is. Just passion.

Given the transfer windows and the squad that was assembled at the start of the season, is Osasuna where you want it to be?

In my opinion, the team was not built of to face its return to the Primera División. The manager Monreal was fired and the idea to grow among youth and local talent has been quite noised. I consider that the team has completely changed its initial vision from the beginning of the season until now. Osasuna fans just wanted to be competitive and we got disappointing results.

Of the signings made this season, which one worked out the best/had the most impact and why?

Sergio León, he is so good.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Osasuna this season? Any standout players?

Strengths? The fans and their passion. Weaknesses? Almost everything!

List some things you appreciate and some things you can't stand about the club management.

I appreciate the effort to educate future professional players, who are able to play in almost every club. This is one pillar that Osasuna fans are proud of.

I can’t understand the way that they’d treated Martín (former coach) after winning the promotion that no one could expect. He gave us everything, as a symbol of respect just let him finish the season. The management haven’t learn anything in last two years!

What has the mood among the fans been during the campaign? Do you generally agree/disagree with them?

I agree, because they are disappointed but still filling the stadium every home game and traveling for away games. Osasuna fans are the party!

Are there any talented youngsters at the club that you expect to have a big future?

Almost all of them are, they need more minutes to play. The supporters don’t want to sign a foreign player, we want to play with our boys!

If you could make one realistic signing for Osasuna this summer who would it be?

I would love to see back some former players, like Raúl García (currently at Athletic Club) and Mikel Merino because he is not playing too much at Dortmund.

Finally, predicted finish for Osasuna?

To start again working in Segunda División in order to grow as a club with a long term project linked with local players. This is what will make Osasuna different.

Francisco Pérez Pérez - the actual oldest player to have played in Spain (1st November, 2017)

I've always wanted to ask a football player: how much do you love your club? If you see your club go down, what are you willing to put on the line to see them go back up? The notion that "players will come and players will go, but the fans are the club" is one that is sadly true in what has become a money-filled sport. The story of a player sacrificing money and success for his club? That story is rare. That story is beautiful. This is that story. This is the story of a player who loved his club. His local club. It'll be a long time if and when someone beats his record. Francisco Pérez Pérez, also known as Chico, currently holds the record for being the oldest player to play in the Segunda B - 43 years and 93 days is the figure. That's a figure that second place Diego Rodríguez Fernández (41 years and 324 days) falls short of by a year and 134 days. I should also point out that the top 3 list for oldest players to play in any of the top three tier

When three teams offered a 19-year-old an eight year contract (11th October, 2017)

Just how many players can you name who have the following descrption: He is a striker of great quality, and was a great promise of Spanish football, but his bad luck and some injuries denied him the opportunity to recover - he has never played more than one season in the same team. This is the story of a player - a technically and physically excellent striker - who made mistakes and suffered injuries very young and never really recovered. Born in Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, Barcelona, Iván Peñaranda started his youth career at Granollers. His real formation, however, was in the lower categories of Barcelona, in which he stayed for seven years (1991-98). Playing alongside Xavi Hernández, Gabri and Carles Puyol. He was considered as one of the young players with a huge future within the club. In the summer of 1998, he angered Barcelona by using "change of residence" as an excuse to sign for Mallorca B (he would move there along with his family), where he would play alongs

Who is Raúl Martín Presa, the Mickey Mouse? Part 1. (20th August, 2017)

José María Ruiz-Mateos was the head and main shareholder of Nueva Rumasa - the company that owned Rayo and other companies - mainly specializing in dairy products. (He wasn't the president of Rayo though - his wife, Teresa Rivero, was Rayo's president). In early 2011, the directors announced a debt of over 700 million euros, that it was on the verge of bankruptcy and that staff wouldn't be paid. And the players were visibly angry about it - captain Míchel assured the press that the club would continue fighting on the pitch, but the day after the announcement was made, six key players didn’t attend training. Veteran midfielder José María Movilla spoke on radio station SER about the situation, about the fact that he had only received seven of the last eighteen months of pay, about the fact that there were a few players who couldn't even afford car repairs. When Rayo Vallecano were about to earn promotion to La Liga despite all the odds - the players not being paid,

The Pride of Vallekas

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