Lisci Hails 'Luxury' Raúl García and Budimir's Professionalism After Stunning Real Madrid Win
Osasuna boss Alessio Lisci was full of praise for match-winner Raúl García and veteran striker Ante Budimir after a historic home win over Real Madrid.
Osasuna pulled off one of the results of the La Liga season at El Sadar, beating Real Madrid in a manner their own fans hadn’t witnessed at home in over 15 years — and manager Alessio Lisci was absolutely buzzing about it afterwards.
The Bench Won It
Lisci was pretty clear about where he felt the victory came from: the substitutes. With Osasuna level and the clock ticking deep into added time, the tactical flexibility afforded by his options off the bench proved decisive.
- Moving Víctor Moro into the side allowed the team to shift shape and push higher up the pitch
- That positional reshuffle created the conditions for Raúl García de Haro to ghost in and score a 93rd-minute winner
- Lisci was unambiguous — it was the bench that gave Osasuna the edge in those final moments
Raúl García: A Proper Luxury
The goal itself? Lisci called it a “golazo, very much his own” — and honestly, it’s hard to argue. A late, driving run and a cool finish from a player who’s been around the block more times than a black cab in central London. The Italian boss described having Raúl in the squad as a genuine luxury, pointing to the quality and experience he brings every single time he steps on the pitch. At this stage of his career, he’s still delivering in the biggest moments. Class.
Budimir: The Ultimate Pro
Also getting big praise from Lisci was Ante Budimir, who was on the receiving end of a penalty — confirmed by Lisci with a straightforward “yes, it’s a penalty” — and who continues to set the standard in terms of professionalism.
Lisci’s portrait of the Croatian striker was genuinely touching:
- Leaves Osasuna’s training ground in Tajonar incredibly late after sessions
- Arrives back incredibly early the next morning
- Takes meticulous care of his body and his preparation
- Lisci held him up as an example to the entire dressing room
That said, the Osasuna boss was keen to stress it’s not just Budimir — he reckons the whole squad understands the value of the unglamorous, behind-the-scenes graft that makes results like this possible.
Building Momentum
Lisci also took a moment to put this in context. He wasn’t satisfied with how things had gone in Elche recently, and he made clear the squad weren’t either. The feeling coming out of El Sadar is one of genuine upward trajectory — a team that’s evolving, hungry, and not content to just take what comes their way.
“The team wants more and that’s what I love” — and when you’re knocking over Real Madrid in the 93rd minute, it’s hard not to feel like something’s building in Pamplona.