On november 2015
Carlos Cuéllar and 'Cuco' Ziganda will meet again on a pitch this Liga Adelante's game-week. They haven't met since season 2006-07. That season at Osasuna in which they played the Champions League qualifiers and remembered for their UEFA Semifinals, was the first and only time in which they shared a locker room. This week they will meet again but this time as rivals. Bilbao Athletic and Almería will test their strength at San Mamés (Saturday 15pm in England).
José Ángel 'Cuco' Ziganda replaced Javier Aguirre as Osasuna's coach when the Mexican left in 2006. The coach from Navarra came to a team that was fourth in the league. A historical fact that gave them the possibility of playing the Champions League qualifiers. 'Cuco' used Carlos Cuéllar's qualities since the very beginning. The centreback from Madrid was a starter in both matches against Hamburg. He even scored a goal in the second leg, but the Germans won the playoff and they were qualified for the Champions League's group stage. That disappointment was the preface of a succesful campaign in Europe. The team from Navarre, with Carlos Cuéllar as one of their main references, reached the Uefa's semifinals. Along their path, teams like Girondins, Rangers and Leverkusen lost against them. Only Sevilla, who ended up being the Champion, was able to beat Osasuna. Also in the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) they were able to reach quarter finals and on the League they saved themselves from relegation with quite ease.
The succesful alliance between Ziganda, Cuéllar and the rest of the Red team ended up quickly. When the season ended, Carlos started his British adventure at Rangers while 'Cuco' remained in Pamplona the next season. Now, their professional careers are meeting again. On this occasion, defending different shield. Rivals on Saturday, but friends since many years ago.
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