Cádiz CF were unable to pick up any points on their return to the Primera División and lost 2-0 to Osasuna in their league debut in a game where the home side deserved more based on the number of chances created.
Osasuna on the other hand scored early through Adrián in the 10th minute and had enough guile to hold on and put the game to bed towards the final whistle through Rubén García.
Cádiz CF quickly met with the reality of the top flight, conceding the opening goal despite going toe-to-toe during the early exchanges. Oier managed to get the better of Sergio González in midfield to launch a swift counter-attack and feed Adrián, who skilfully beat David Gil despite the keeper’s quick reaction to come off his line. In the blink of an eye, the Navarrese side had taken the lead.
Los Amarillos, far from being thrown by the early blow, rolled up their sleeves and went about the business of finding a way through to Sergio Herrera’s goal, crafting two decent chances that both fell to Jorge Pombo. The first ended with an off-target shot after a delivery from the left from Pacha Espino and the second narrowly missed the target from a right-footed connection with Salvi’s cross. The Aragonese attacking midfielder proved incisive in Cádiz’s opening game.
Osasuna managed to relieve the pressure with a dangerous break down the right through right back Nacho Vidal, who finished the move he started with a rasping low shot that David Gil, who had positioned himself well, saved easily.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side were able to adapt to the game, repelling the attempts of the home side to find a way through and hitting quickly on the counter when the chance arose, creating danger on many of their forays into the Cádiz half.
The home side shuffled the deck at half time, sending on Filip Malbasic in place of Yann Bodiger – a forward for a midfielder in an overtly attacking substitution.
Los Amarillos were gradually working their way into the game after the break and Iza tested Herrera first with a fierce free kick that was diverted behind for a corner.
Roberto Perera, filling in for head coach Álvaro Cervera, made a double change to freshen up his midfield, sending on Álex Fernández and Jens Jonsson in place of José Mari and Marcos Mauro.
Osasuna, for their part, aware of the need to carefully manage the transitional phases of the game, started to move their own bench after the 70th minute.
In the final 15 minutes Cádiz carved out a couple of excellent goal-scoring chances to level the affair, Salvi with a low right-footed shot and then Pombo, who forced Herrera to get a glove to a well-hit shot that the Osasuna keeper turned around the post for a corner.
With Cádiz playing as well as they had all evening and when it seemed that the equalizer was only a matter of time, Osasuna struck to break the hearts of the home side. The goal came from a long throw into the area that was touched on at the near post and hooked over David Gil by Rubén García.
From there on Cádiz refused to give up hope but in reality the home side failed to create any notable chances to reduce the deficit while Osasuna were happy enough to run down the clock without taking any risks.
