Azpilicueta: “Every season, Osasuna takes a step forward and does things very well”

He speaks of Osasuna properly because is informed first hand. London’s routine prevents him from following his hometown team as much as he would like, but there is always room for a dose of osasunism. In the bubble of the Spanish team, where the interviews have a specific duration, there is also time for an international to comment on Osasuna. He left Pamplona more than ten years ago, but is a confessed follower of the rojillo club. He suffers and enjoys in equal parts because he knows that the Navarrese Champions League is salvation.

In tent 3 in Las Rozas, César Azpilicueta takes a break from the Eurocopa maelstrom to comment on El Sadar, Osasuna’s growth as a club and the blow on the table that the renovations of David García and Moncayola signify. Two homegrown players who could emigrate like him.

In such a strange season, have you been able to follow Osasuna?

Whenever I can I see them. It is the first result that I look at from the Spanish First Division.

You will know that they were 13 games without winning and, despite this, they ratified Arrasate. How difficult it is to see that in professional football.

The club has been doing a spectacular job for a long time. Braulio, Jagoba … You just have to remember how you were promoted to First. It is to be appreciated all that trust they placed in him and Arrasate returned it with results. It is a pity that there were no fans at El Sadar, but surely next season everyone will be able to enjoy it.

Have you seen pictures of El Sadar?

Yes Yes. It has changed a lot since the last time I played.

Is the growth of the club visible from the outside?

Osasuna is a club that is doing things very well. Every year he takes a step forward. When you do things well, you reap the fruits of your work. During stages you have to suffer, but in the end comes the reward. Now is a time where people in the house, who have been around for many years and feel the colors in a spectacular way, deserve to enjoy because they have been through the hardest and most difficult moments. Now they deserve to live what they are living.

What message does Osasuna send with the renewal of homegrown players who previously left?

We were leaving, we were leaving -laughs-.

That.

They are decisions of each one. If they have decided that it is best to continue in Osasuna because they believe in the project or because the club has managed to make that effort, this is great news for everyone. The performance they are delivering is critical to that team growth. I was very happy because it is news that all fans are happy about.

The rojillo project attracts, even Azpilicueta?

-laughs- I left when I was 20 years old. At that moment I decided that it was the best for the club and for me. I am very happy in London, enjoying this stage and with many challenges still to be met.

Has there been any contact, even minimal, for your return?

I have contact with people from the club, but we have never mentioned that topic.

“I have never gone crazy with being a footballer, but I was enjoying day by day”

The smile overflows from the mask when you remind César Azpilicueta of a date.

What happened on May 29?

We were champions of the Champions … and that same day also of the Europa League in 2019.

What dates!

It is of great memories, especially the Champions League. It made me happy.

It is the maximum that a footballer can aspire to at the club level.

It is a tournament of the highest level and to conquer it after an atypical season is to be happy and enjoy it.

Be sincere. How many times have you watched the game?

Ever (laughs).

And when to raise the trophy?

You don’t get tired of seeing it! You know how football works. It is something very beautiful to experience. Now I have the challenge of the Eurocup. We know that football does not give you time to enjoy what you have experienced, but rather to fight for what is to come.

Did that kid from Zizur imagine all this?

Nerd. When you are a child you dream of playing soccer, but I have never, ever dreamed that I could go this far. I have never gone crazy with being a footballer, but I was enjoying it day by day. Obviously since I was little I was also one of those who had a ball with me. I have been fortunate to reach the highest level because many fall by the wayside.

It won’t be just work.

Work is very important, of course, but you also have to be lucky that opportunities come to you, that you do it well … I have played in many positions and I have always tried to adapt to the maximum.

Like this season at Chelsea. What a rare year!

It was a rather unusual season. I would divide it into two parts. Until January and after. We made a brutal change, the results speak for themselves and we won the Champions League when they considered us eliminated. We do it with a lot of work and effort.