MADRID, 28 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Girona FC will be looking for their first victory in LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25 this Thursday (7:00 p.m.), hosting CA Osasuna at Montilivi, who are looking to get their second consecutive win and take advantage of their rival’s poor start, which has not started this season in the best way.
The team managed by Míchel Sánchez started the league campaign by drawing (1-1) against Real Betis Balompié in the final stretch. It was a point that was not improved later in the second duel, where they lost by a resounding 3-0 in their visit to Atlético de Madrid, being outclassed by an opponent that they had outperformed last season.
In their first home game of the season, Míchel’s men will try to hold on to the strength that characterised them last year, where they picked up 47 of a possible 57 points at home. To do so, they will have to improve their level both in attack and defence, especially in this area, in which they have already conceded four goals in two games.
In attack, the departure of Artem Dobvyk and Savinho has left the Catalan team weak, and their absence has not been compensated by the signings of Abel Ruiz and Bryan Gil, who have yet to score in an official match with their new shirt. The only goal was scored by the youth player Gabriel Misehouy, who has been one of the sensations of this August.
This match could see the debut of Girona’s most expensive signing, the 20-year-old Colombian midfielder Yáser Asprilla, who arrives from English side Watford, with whom he scored six goals and provided seven assists in the second division last season.
Osasuna, meanwhile, are in a more comfortable position for the match after drawing against Leganés in their opening game and then beating Mallorca 1-0. In their first away game, Vicente Moreno’s men will be looking to record their first win as visitors.
The red and white team, who have never won at Montilivi in the First Division, want to transfer their strength at home to away games, where they performed well last season, adding 22 points, practically half of the 45 with which they finished the campaign.
The coach of the Pamplona team could make rotations to bring in players who have not yet had many opportunities, such as the full-backs Nacho Vidal or Juan Cruz, as well as the youngsters Iker Muñoz and Pablo Ibáñez. Another youth player such as Raúl García de Haro could have his chance to start, giving rest to the Croatian Ante Budimir, who has not yet scored a goal this season.
In the historical head-to-head, both teams have met on eleven occasions, four of them in the First Division. Of these clashes, Girona won twice, while Osasuna came out on top in one duel, and the other match ended 1-1. Last season, the Girona team won both games (2-0 at home and 2-4 at El Sadar).
–THURSDAY’S TIMES FOR MATCHDAY 3 OF LALIGA EA SPORTS.
Girona – Osasuna. Hernandez Maeso (C.Extremeño) 19.00.
Las Palmas – Real Madrid. Busquets Ferrer (C.Balear) 21.30.