Stalemate for Sevilla, Osasuna

Osasuna bounced back from Saturday's 8-0 humbling against Barcelona by earning a point against Sevilla tonight. And it could have been even better for the home team had they not run into visiting keeper Javi Varas in inspired form. Varas made a string of fine saves either side of half-time as his side had to weather intense pressure, and coach Marcelino will have been grateful to escape with a share of the points. Osasuna's Manuel Lolo tried his luck twice in the early stages, with a 30-yard strike held by Varas, who then superbly tipped Lolo's next effort around the post. Roland Lamah's free-kick, after Emir Spahic was booked for fouling Kike Sola, drew another good save from Varas. Sevilla's first effort was a wildly ambitious long-range effort wide from Jesus Navas, before Lolo curled a free-kick wide at the other end after Federico Fazio's foul on Lamah. The rangy defender became the second name in the book. Osasuna keeper Andres Fernandez's first test came when Martin Caceres headed Manu Del Moral's corner goalwards, and Fazio then nodded a Navas delivery wide. Emiliano Armenteros volleyed over for Sevilla as half-time arrived with no score, but Varas was again quickly into the action as the second half started, saving Francisco Punal's drive. Navas was again off target from distance, and also fired wide of the near post moments after Piotr Trochowski had tested Fernandez. Osasuna's Francisco Nino headed over and then saw another effort tipped behind by the impressive Varas. Lamah shot over and then wide in quick succession late on as Osasuna failed to find the deserved breakthrough.