Osasuna face a tough trip to the Metropolitano Stadium to take on Atletico Madrid this Wednesday in the sixth matchday of La Liga. The Pamplona-based side, 11th in the table with 7 points, are in need of a reaction after suffering back-to-back defeats against Espanyol and Alaves.
The most recent loss, a 0-2 home defeat to Espanyol last Saturday, was a disappointing result. Against Alaves, in a chaotic match, Osasuna fell 5-2 despite a brace from Ante Budimir. The Croatian striker is undoubtedly the in-form man for the Navarrese team, with 4 goals in 5 appearances this season as the squad's top scorer. His finishing will be key in the capital.
Key Absences for the Visit
The coaching staff will be without midfielder Aimar Oroz, sidelined with a hamstring injury and not expected back until the end of the month. Defender Jorge Herrando and midfielder Moi Gómez are also unavailable, both with muscle issues. These absences will force adjustments in the midfield, where Jon Moncayola and Iker Muñoz will have added responsibility.
For Atletico, manager Diego Simeone is also dealing with an injury list. Forwards Alexander Sørloth and Julián Álvarez are out with muscle injuries, as is midfielder Pablo Barrios. This could present an opportunity for an Osasuna defense that has conceded 8 goals in 5 matches. Goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, who started the last outing, faces a stern test.
Form and Table Context
Osasuna's recent league form is mixed (LLWWD), with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five. The team sits 8 points behind leaders Barcelona. A positive result in Madrid would provide a major boost ahead of checking the full schedule on our fixtures page.
In their last match, manager Thomas Christiansen deployed a 4-2-3-1 with Herrera; Arguibide, Catena, Yeboah and Diego Rico; Moncayola and Iker Muñoz; and Rubén García, Raúl García and Kike Barja supporting Budimir up front. A similar setup is likely, aiming for defensive solidity and quick transitions. The historical record at the Metropolitano is always difficult for visitors.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 at 19:00 local time at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Osasuna will be seeking points to close in on the European spots, currently sitting 4 points away. Fans can follow the squad's progress on our squad page.
