Lisci's Osasuna plot to crack away day blues against Girona
Osasuna boss Alessio Lisci addresses squad depth, tactical plans for Girona, and the psychological challenge of securing their first away win of the season.
Osasuna manager Alessio Lisci is feeling spoilt for choice as his squad depth increases, but remains focused on solving their away day troubles ahead of their trip to Girona.
Selection headaches - the good kind
The gaffer’s in a proper cheerful mood about his squad options, particularly with the arrival of Javi Galán bolstering the ranks and injured players nearing returns. It’s a proper nice dilemma for the Italian tactician.
“For me, it’s fortunate to have doubts between players because I have more options,” Lisci noted, sounding like a kid in a sweet shop with his selection possibilities.
The left-back position is causing particular deliberation, with Abel Bretones, Javi Galán and Juan Cruz all pushing for minutes. Lisci confirmed Galán offers versatility beyond just wing play, giving him additional tactical flexibility.
Respect for Girona
Lisci isn’t taking Girona lightly, despite their recent struggles. He’s done his Adam and Eve on the opposition, noting how they’ve been punished for errors in build-up play and set-piece vulnerabilities, but acknowledges their quality:
- Strong coaching staff
- Quality squad depth
- Well-run club structure
The Osasuna boss emphasized the importance of pressing effectively and making the match uncomfortable for their hosts - classic away day tactics.
Breaking the away curse
Osasuna’s away form has been their Achilles’ heel, with the team yet to secure three points on their travels this season. Lisci is keen to avoid creating a psychological block around this issue.
“It’s something we’ve had in our heads from day one because we want to improve on last year’s away results,” Lisci admitted. He compared the situation to a striker going through a goal drought - overthinking only makes things worse.
Rather than developing what he called a “phobia” about away matches, Lisci wants his team to focus on their overall evolution and performance. A win at Girona would represent a significant milestone:
- Breaking their away duck
- Pushing past the 20-point barrier
- Building psychological momentum
The boss believes securing that elusive away victory would be “an enormous step forward” for multiple reasons, potentially unlocking improved performances on their travels for the remainder of the campaign.