Osasuna manager Alessio Lisci spoke to the media ahead of a crucial La Liga clash against Levante UD which posted on Osasuna’s official YouTube channel, with both sides entering the match under pressure for different reasons. Levante are battling to avoid relegation, while Osasuna continue pushing to finish the season strongly and keep their hopes alive in the race for European football.
The atmosphere around the fixture has already intensified because of the importance of the points at stake. Softfootball understands that Lisci expects a tense and emotional contest, especially with Levante’s impressive home form making the challenge even tougher.
Lisci opened by admitting how difficult the trip to Levante will be:
It is going to be a very difficult match. They are on an incredible run at home and are taking points against almost everyone. Only Girona managed to draw there in the final minute. That already shows how difficult this game will be. We are facing a rival that is desperate because of their position in the table. It is going to be one of those beautiful end of season matches.
The Osasuna coach also acknowledged the emotional side of returning to a club where he previously worked:
For me it is always a different match. It is unfortunate that both teams are in situations where they need points, although for different reasons. But this is football and sport, and we have to give everything.
Lisci believes Levante will approach the game aggressively because of their situation:
We expect them to go all out for the match, we have no doubt about that. Everyone knows how difficult it is to play at their stadium.
Osasuna’s away form has been questioned during the season, and Lisci admitted there is still room for improvement despite recent progress:
In the second half of the season we have improved the numbers, although that was not difficult. But we want to keep improving them and above all we want to get another three points away from home. I expect to see the best version of the team because any other version would make no sense.
He also stressed that the key is not changing too much from the way Osasuna perform at home:
What we have to change is as little as possible because if we want to look like the team we are at home, then we must try to be as similar as possible away from home. We have not managed to do that consistently yet.
Lisci expects the match to become increasingly open because neither side is likely to settle for a draw:
There will be many matches inside the match because when two teams face each other and a draw is not enough for either of them, the game changes. I think the match will open up as the minutes go by. It is a different type of game because usually there is one team that would accept a draw, but tomorrow I do not think either team values that result.
The pressure around the fixture also comes at a time when the La Liga title race is reaching its climax. FC Barcelona recently moved another step closer to lifting the title after narrowly overcoming Osasuna in a tight contest. Despite the defeat, Osasuna’s performance earned praise from supporters, with many fans online believing the team showed character against one of the strongest sides in Spain.
Elsewhere in Spain, Real Madrid CF continue dealing with injury problems in defence after another setback involving Ferland Mendy. The growing fitness concerns at Madrid have added more drama to the closing weeks of the season, especially with several clubs still fighting for European places and momentum.
Back in the Osasuna camp, Lisci provided positive updates on squad fitness. He confirmed that Aimar Oroz is fully fit again:
Aimar is fine now. He is at one hundred percent. He is no longer taking medication and he feels good.
He also revealed that Víctor Muñoz is close to returning, although there is still uncertainty over exactly when he will be ready:
Víctor is very close. Because the matches are so close together, we cannot say exactly when he will return. He could be ready for both games or neither. We are taking it day by day.
Lisci praised the impact of his squad players, especially during a demanding week with several important matches:
It is a blessing to have substitutes who are pushing to become starters. They are going to be very important because we have to collect as many points as possible.
He reserved special praise for Raúl García after his strong goal return this season:
Seven goals in the cup and seven in the league with not many starts are very important numbers. I have always said that I am delighted with him. For me it is a privilege to have Raúl in the squad.
The Osasuna manager also made it clear what he wants to see from his players against Levante:
I do not want to see a team that fails to control the details. I do not want to see a team without the desire to win. I want to see a team that makes the supporters say, ‘That is my team.’
Lisci described the coming match as one that will be mentally demanding because of the atmosphere and pressure:
It is going to be a very psychological and emotional match. We have to know how to manage those moments of maximum pressure.
He also warned that patience should not be confused with passivity:
We must be patient when it is time to suffer, but patience does not mean waiting around to see what happens. We have to go there to play our game and try to win.
Fans have reacted positively to Lisci’s confidence and honesty ahead of the match. Many supporters believe Osasuna still have enough quality to finish the season strongly, while others see the Levante game as one of the biggest tests left in their campaign.
Watch the video below;
The overall feeling around the club is one of determination and focus. With both teams desperate for points, the stage is set for a tense and emotional battle that could have major consequences at both ends of the La Liga table.
