Match Pack: CA Osasuna vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD36)
Match Pack: CA Osasuna vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD36)
Everything you need to know as the Lions prepare for a clash with a fellow contender for a European spot
The end of LaLiga is fast approaching and Athletic Club remain immersed in a tough battle for seventh and a place in next season's Europa Conference League.
The Lions travel to El Sadar, Pamplona, where they'll face CA Osasuna, a direct opponent for European qualification. Jagoba Arrasate's side are currently three points behind Athletic in LaLiga Santander.
With just three matches left this term, the outcome of this duel could have a huge impact on the final league table.
Match Info
CA Osasuna vs Athletic Club
El Sadar (Pamplona)
LaLiga Santander 22/23 (Matchday 36)
Thursday May 25, 21:30 CEST
How to Watch
When and where to watch Thursday night's clash.
Team News
Valverde has named a 22-man squad for the fixture.
Jon Morcillo, Iñigo Martínez, Yeray Álvarez, Dani García and Ander Herrera are all in the treatment room. Bilbao Athletic midfielders Unai Gómez and Junior Bita, the latter's first time in a senior matchday squad, have been called up as cover.
Valverde's Comments
Catch up with what he had to say in his pre-match press conference.
The Opponents
Head coach: Jagoba Arrasate
The former Real Sociedad player and manager joined Osasuna in June 2018 and the Basque coach has since overseen one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
He led Los Rojillos back to the top-flight as LaLiga Smartbank champions during his first season in charge. Osasuna have gone on to consolidate their place in LaLiga Santander, while this season he also took them to a second ever Copa del Rey final, which they lost 2-1 against Real Madrid.
Top goalscorer: Chimy Ávila
The Argentinian forward is a stalwart in Arrasate's side, leading from the front with his tenacious pressing. Signed from Huesca in 2019/20, Chimy has scored a total of 22 goals in 91 LaLiga apperances for the Pamplona outfit. So far this campaign, he has netted seven times in 27 matches.
Recent form (LaLiga): WLLWL
After only losing once from the end of March until the end of April, Osasuna have suffered a downturn in form in May, losing two out of three matches this month. Their most recent fixture was a 3-0 away loss against Atlético Madrid.
Previous Meetings
Since their first LaLiga clash in 1936, Athletic Club and CA Osasuna have played a total of 83 matches, with the Lions registering 41 wins, 23 draws and 19 defeats.
In terms of matches played at El Sadar, Athletic have won 18, drawn 11 and lost 12 times.
As for last five matches in Pamplona, Athletic have won four and only lost once.
Last season's visit to El Sadar saw Athletic run out 1-3 winners thanks to a superb Oihan Sancet hat-trick.