Osasuna open their home campaign at El Sadar after a delayed start, and they face a Levante side still reeling from a heavy opening-day defeat. The hosts' 4-4-2 shape, built around target-man Ante Budimir and creator Aimar Oroz, should ask serious questions of a Levante defence t…
Sign in for full analysis →Sign in to view how our call changed
Sign inOsasuna kick off their 2026‑27 La Liga campaign at home to Levante on Monday, 24 August, after their opening‑day trip to Celta Vigo was postponed because of pitch problems. The delay gives new head coach Luis Miguel Ramis extra time to prepare, while Levante arrive under Luis Castro needing to replace the attacking output of the departed Carlos Espí.
Osasuna are likely to be without right‑sided defender Valentín Rosier, who missed the week’s training with a hamstring issue. Otherwise Ramis has a full squad to choose from, and a 3‑4‑2‑1 system is expected: Sergio Herrera in goal behind a back three of Boyomo, Alejandro Catena and Diego Rico; Moi Gómez and Abel Bretones operating as wing‑backs; Iker Muñoz and Jon Moncayola anchoring midfield; and Aimar Oroz plus Raúl Moro supporting lone striker Ante Budimir.
Levante’s treatment room is busier. Back‑up goalkeeper Álex Primo is definitely out, while Thiago Fernández, Yanis Musuayi, Dani Requena and Hugo Sotelo are all doubtful. Mathew Ryan is set to start in goal, with a back four of Nacho Pérez, Dela, Aïssa Mandi and Manu Sánchez. Jon Olasagasti, Oriol Rey and Carlos Álvarez (if passed fit) will look to supply a front three of Víctor García, Iván Romero and Etta Eyong.
Ramis, the former Real Madrid centre‑back who overachieved with Burgos in the Segunda División, wants a high‑intensity approach right from the off. His side’s only public outing was a pre‑season friendly against Al Ain, where they dominated possession but were punished by two rapid counter‑attacks after losing the ball. That has sharpened the focus on transition defence: when the wing‑backs push high, cover from the midfield pivot must be precise. Osasuna ended last season with both teams scoring in 10 of their last 11 La Liga fixtures, an attacking habit Ramis will be happy to keep.
Levante’s warm‑up programme included a 3‑1 win over Castellón (Iván Romero twice, Nacho Pérez header from a corner), a narrow 1‑0 loss to Villarreal and a 2‑1 victory against Albacete. Castro has spoken of building a “brave and connected” team, but the summer sale of Carlos Espí to Real Madrid strips them of last season’s most reliable source of goals. The visitors will need Romero and Eyong to fill that gap, while the midfield duo of Olasagasti and Rey must break up Osasuna’s possession before the ball reaches the creative Oroz.
Ante Budimir’s physical presence and hold‑up play will test the new‑look Levante pairing of Dela and Mandi. If Castro’s team press high, Osasuna can look to play direct into Budimir and then release the late runs of Oroz and Moro; if Levante sit deeper, the Croat can pin both centre‑halves and create space for the wing‑backs to deliver crosses. How well Mandi and Dela deal with that duel will go a long way towards deciding the contest.
Osasuna will want to make a statement in Ramis’ first competitive home match, while Levante need a positive result to ease the adjustment to life after Espí. Both sides will view the next couple of fixtures as a chance to build early‑season momentum in a crowded La Liga mid‑table.
Sign in to view injury report
Sign inSign in to view group standings
Sign inSign in to view match stats
Sign inSign in to view player ratings
Sign inSign in to view lineups
Sign inSign in to view head to head
Sign in
