Abel Bretones' difficult spell at Osasuna draws attention as Arrasate talks with left-back

What happened

Abel Bretones is in his third season at Osasuna and, according to a report by AS, is not going through his best moment. The left-back has retained the confidence of the club's coaches since arriving, and the report says Arrasate continues to count on him despite the summer arrival of Diego Rico. However, his performances are said to be well below the level he showed in previous campaigns, and the dip has begun to raise doubts even in the stands.

Report details

The AS report describes Bretones as having stalled after gaining experience and prominence over his first two seasons, and says he has made uncharacteristic errors in certain matches. He has featured in all twelve league games played this season, accumulating 979 minutes, with his most limited appearances coming against Espanyol (45 minutes) and Rayo Vallecano (34 minutes). That continued selection, the report argues, shows he remains an important piece even if the feeling on the pitch has not always matched it. The article suggests that the absence of direct competition from Diego Rico may be affecting his performance.

The statistics cited by AS offer some clues. In the league he has recorded three shots on target, 16 fouls committed, eight fouls received and 57 recoveries. Offensively he has delivered 23 crosses and maintains a passing accuracy above 81 percent. One figure the report highlights is 147 losses of possession across his 979 minutes, a number it says reflects an area he must improve and which coincides with some of the actions that have drawn the crowd's discontent.

According to AS, Bretones' below-par form has not escaped Arrasate's notice, and the coach was seen this week holding a conversation with the Asturian on the pitch at Tajonar. The report notes that plenty of the season remains and there is time for Bretones to return to the player who shows his ability to get up and down the flank and provide width, adding that it is urgent for the left-back to repay the confidence the manager has placed in him.