Four Defeats in a Row Put Osasuna on the Brink of Relegation. Osasuna has found itself in the relegation zone after suffering four consecutive defeats. Tension is mounting at the club surrounding coach Alessio Lisci. The future of the team and its players remains uncertain.
A run of four consecutive defeats has put Osasuna dangerously close to relegation from La Liga. The club, which until recently seemed confident in retaining its top-flight status, now finds itself among those who could drop out as early as next week. The situation is complicated by the fact that 42 points, which previously were seen as a safety guarantee, no longer provide assurance for Osasuna, Levante, or Elche—one of these clubs risks falling out of the league.
Debate over the causes of the collapse has intensified in Pamplona. Some fans, even before the streak of failures, expressed doubts about Alessio Lisci’s methods, noting that the former tactical schemes don’t suit the current squad. Individual players also came under criticism: Torró, Aimar, Catena, and Sergio Herrera, despite occasional strong performances, failed to keep the team afloat consistently. Budimir's decline in scoring has been especially noticeable—he netted just once in the last six matches and missed key chances against Atlético de Madrid and Espanyol.
The question of whether the club overestimated its capabilities by aiming for European competition remains open. Not long ago, Osasuna could contend for a spot in the Conference League, but now finds itself among the underdogs. Such instability is typical of this La Liga season, where even Valencia went from fighting relegation to dreaming of Europe in just two matchdays. As russpain.com notes, similar risks were recently discussed regarding Valencia, which also found itself on the brink of the drop after a streak of poor results (more on the situation in Valencia).
Despite the difficult situation, it is hard to accuse the team of lacking motivation. Osasuna played a respectable game against Barcelona, showed character in the match with Atlético de Madrid, and dominated the second half against Espanyol. However, even with a large number of chances created, the result remained negative. The setback against Levante, where the team led 2-0, was particularly painful and raised questions about the squad’s psychological resilience.
Alessio Lisci’s role in the current crisis is being discussed more and more actively. The Italian coach often changed tactics during the season, trying different approaches— from possession-based play to a five-man defensive line. However, the lack of a clear playing identity and consistent lineup led to fans not always knowing what to expect from the team. Young players such as Herrando and Iker Muñoz were given opportunities only when there were personnel issues, and rotation decisions drew criticism.
Lisci’s public statements about taking full responsibility did not help build trust among fans. Against this backdrop, the club's management and sporting department are forced to consider the future: a reassessment is needed of the approach to squad building, the role of academy players, and the team's playing style.
For reference: Osasuna is one of Spain's oldest clubs, based in Pamplona, and traditionally relies on its own youth academy. In recent years, the team has regularly fought for a spot in the middle of the table, but this season has become one of the most unstable. In the event of relegation, the club may face serious financial and staffing difficulties, which is already being discussed in the Spanish sports media.
