Girona vs. Osasuna: La Liga Clash Preview
The Estadi Montilivi will host a crucial La Liga encounter on Thursday, as Girona FC welcome CA Osasuna. The match, kicking off at 5pm BST, promises to be an exciting affair between two teams looking to make a strong start to the new season.
Girona will be eager to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in their opening game. The Catalan side were a formidable force last season, scoring an impressive 85 goals in 38 games, good enough for second in the league. However, their defensive frailties were exposed in the loss to Atlético, and they'll need to tighten up at the back if they are to challenge for a top-half finish.
Osasuna, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their 1-0 home victory over RCD Mallorca in their first match. Ruben Garcia Santos's solitary goal proved decisive, and the Pamplona-based side will be hoping to carry that momentum into Thursday's game. Despite conceding 56 goals last season, their attacking prowess cannot be ignored, with 45 goals scored placing them 11th in the league.
Looking ahead to the key players, Girona will be relying on the attacking threat of Cristhian Stuani and Viktor Tsygankov. Stuani scored nine goals in 32 appearances last season, while Tsygankov, with eight goals and 32 chances created, was a vital creative outlet.
Osasuna's danger man is Ante Budimir, who netted 17 goals in 34 games last season. Raul Garcia de Haro, with his six goals from just 29 shots, and Jesus Areso, who created 33 chances and provided six assists, will also be key figures for the visitors.
This clash has the potential to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting strengths. Girona's potent attacking force will be looking to exploit Osasuna's defensive vulnerabilities, while the visitors will be hoping to exploit any gaps in Girona's backline. With both teams desperate for a positive result early in the season, a tense and exciting match is expected.
Match Details:
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm BST
Venue: Estadi Montilivi
TV: ESPN+ (US only)
The match will be available to stream on ESPN+ for viewers in the United States.
