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Osasuna have had a shaky start to their season. Understandably, that has caused fans and the club to worry that they are in danger of losing their hard-earned stability, a run of seven consecutive years in La Liga. However, 2026 saw a rise in Osasuna’s fortunes. Diario de Navarra he recently revealed that before their recent defeat to Valencia, Osasuna would have had the Champions League places based on their form in the new calendar year – 15 points out of a possible 24.
This score indicates that someone in the group has clicked. The initial doubts surrounding the post-Arrasate period are ending, and it seems that Alessio Lisci can finally say that his project has found a way forward.
Building a New Foundation
In 2024, Jagoba Arrasate ended his spell as manager of Osasuna, setting the sun on a period of incredible consistency and resilience. Vicente Moreno was brought in as a replacement for the 2024-25 season, but he always felt like the type of manager who would sustain an ongoing project rather than build a new one. With his departure at the end of the season, the challenge for the 2025-26 season was big: finding a manager to build a new, sustainable project. The club turned to Lisci, whose reputation was built during his good spell Miranda. Known for his ability to elicit maximum performance from limited resources, Lisci proved to be a good fit for Osasuna’s pragmatism.
This required careful team building, and the summer transfer window was busy for the Navarrans. They mainly focus on growing their sides. Raul Moro and Victor Munoz will add youth and talent to the forward line, while Javi Galan and Valentin Rosier will bring power and strength to the backline. It wasn’t until January that Moro and Galan were brought in, with Sporting Director Braulio Vazquez taking the pressure off Lisci by admitting the Italian needed more resources when results weren’t consistent.
From Passivity to Intensity
The early stages of the season were, to be honest, underwhelming. Lisci settled on the same 5-3-2 formation that he used at Mirandas. On paper, three full-backs and two forwards meant that the team would defend hard and solidly in their own box and that of the opponents. Actually, it proved to be a difficult match. The system made it difficult for Osasuna to press, forcing them to slow down and defend. This meant that star striker Ante Budimir was often left alone and away from the penalty box, making it a challenge for him to find good possessions. The strong ownership that was Osasuna’s trademark under Arrasate was notably absent, and the team struggled to find its rhythm.
The change happened on December 20, in a strong victory against Alaves. Lisci, showing his tactical flexibility, switched to a 4-2-3-1, with a very clear effect. With an extra player in midfield, Osasuna can press harder, making it difficult for the opposition to control the game. The downside is, this change allowed Budimir to get the ball higher up the pitch, which puts him in a better position to create scoring opportunities.
The fact that this extra midfielder was Ruben Garcia had additional benefits. His left-footed delivery helped create more chances from set pieces, giving Budimir more opportunities to influence the game. The team ended up playing with intensity and directness that had been sorely missed.
While Budimir naturally remains attack-focused, Osasuna’s resurgence has been fueled by other key pillars. In midfield, we were seeing Jon Moncayola’s cool passing and work rate, as well as Aimar Oroz’s ability to find pockets of space between the lines. On the flanks, Munoz’s shooting and maneuvering added a presence the team lacked. Defensively, Alejandro Catena has been a titan setting up the backline and posing a threat with set pieces, while Galan has settled in well for his new team.
Osasuna includes sponsors of the ‘Osasuna Desde la Cuna’ Initiative.
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– CA OSASUNA (@osasuna_zu) March 4, 2026
Heading for Europe: A strong Mid-table team with dreams
While the Champions League may be a bridge too far this season, a top-seven finish and a return to European competition are within reach. During a season in La Liga where half of the table is locked in a tough battle for survival, Osasuna are growing more comfortable and happy about it; an established mid-table team with an outside chance at European spots. This is the result of a long and thoughtful sports project that develops local talent and complements it with smart, targeted signings. The leadership of the club, from the sports director to the President Luis Sabalza, has built a solid foundation that allows for times of change without sacrificing competitiveness.
