Osasuna head coach Alessio Lisci spoke Friday at the pre-match news conference ahead of Osasuna’s LaLiga clash with Villarreal at El Sadar (4:15 p.m. CET, 3:15 p.m. GMT, 10:15 a.m. ET). Osasuna enters the match aiming for a third consecutive victory and to continue its recent positive momentum.
“When you win, you always want more, so tomorrow we’ll try again,” Lisci said. “We know we’re facing a team that has only lost to sides playing in Europe this season, and that shows the level of their squad. They practically have two teams of a very, very high level, very well coached. That alone shows how difficult tomorrow will be. But we’re in a good moment, we’re prepared. In the first match we competed well, and hopefully tomorrow we can do the same and get a better result.”
Lisci said the team’s improved form goes beyond the outcome of Sunday’s match but acknowledged the significance of beating a direct rival of Villarreal’s caliber.
“We’ve changed the dynamic regardless of tomorrow’s result,” he said. “But getting three wins in a row and beating Villarreal gives you a huge boost. Above all, it helps you put more distance between yourself and the relegation zone, which is important because it can put you two matches clear and allow you to see things differently. But the focus has to be on playing a good match. If we play well, we’ll be closer to winning.”
The Osasuna coach was also asked about the number of fouls suffered by midfielder Aimar Oroz, particularly after a heavy challenge against Rayo Vallecano left him unable to train until the final session of the week.
“There’s always talk that the first hard foul doesn’t get a yellow card because it’s early, and that shouldn’t be the case,” Lisci said. “If a foul is hard in the first minute, it should be a yellow card. I’m very clear about that. Aimar is receiving very tough treatment from opponents, and if they’re allowed to do it, it’s normal that they will.”
Lisci called for greater protection of creative players across the league.
“We have to protect talent in general, not just at the big clubs,” he said. “There are players like Aimar, and nobody knows what his ceiling is. He could become a very important player not just for Osasuna, but in Spain. Talent has to be protected for all players on the pitch. Aimar already suffered a traumatic injury that kept him out for a long time, and that was hard for us. Hopefully he, and other talented players we have, will be looked after a bit more.”
Turning his attention to Villarreal, Lisci highlighted the quality and depth of the opposition.
“Villarreal have a huge amount of talent,” he said. “When you face players and teams of that level, if they’re not at 100 percent it helps. Last season here we saw two completely different halves, and that shows how good they are. When they step on the gas, it’s difficult for everyone, even if you’re playing well.”
Lisci said Osasuna must be prepared to endure difficult moments if it hopes to take points from the match.
“It’s going to be a complicated game, and there will be moments when they make you suffer,” he said. “To get points against these big teams, you have to be able to get through those bad moments that will come sooner or later.”
He added that Villarreal’s ability in transition will be a key factor.
“They’re on the level of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in their ability to counterattack,” Lisci said. “That’s something we’ve emphasized a lot.”
