Match Preview: Osasuna vs Sevilla, First Game of La Liga Season

Match Preview: Osasuna vs Sevilla, First Game of La Liga Season

Isaac Darko
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:09 PM
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SPA La Liga
Spain
  • Osasuna vs. Sevilla, Estadio El Sadar, Friday 12 August at 8pm
  • Opening match of the 2022/23 Spanish La Liga
  • Alex Telles will be hoping to make his debut for Sevilla for his new team, while Isco is not part of the 23-man squad

FC Sevilla will travel to the Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona to face Osasuna in the opening match of the 2022-23 LaLiga season on Friday night.

The 2016 Europa League winners finished fourth in Spain's top flight last campaign, their third successive feat at this level of football.

Osasuna, on the other hand, were 10th, which has now been the case in each of the last four seasons.

Ivan Rakitic, Sevilla, Kike Garcia, Osasuna
Estadio El Sadar will host the opening match of the 2022-23 La Liga campaign, with Osasuna welcoming Sevilla to Pamplona on Friday night. Credit: @marca
Source: Twitter

What the Managers say

During the pre-match presser ahead of the game, Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate said his team is ready for the crunch game against Sevilla.

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"The team is excited, hopeful, ready and then we will see how we do. After the pre-season, there is always some uncertainty regarding you actual level of opponents," he said.
"However, we are hopeful we will do a good season above that uncertainty. It is true that throughout the season, we will continue to improve. You are never ready on your first day. Plus, it will be a warm evening and having five substitutions can change the game’s script."
"We will do our best to keep a high-intensity game with our starters and our subs so we can contain one of the toughest teams in LaLiga."
"Right now, our focus is to show the best version of Osausna. We know our opponent will challenge us and put us on edge. We know we have to do a good job, or we won’t have any options."

Julen Lopetegui confirmed that Isco will not play on LaLiga's opening day against Osasuna

"Isco will not be in Pamplona. He has a different condition than the rest of his teammates. We will try to burn the deadlines as soon as possible.
Of course, I'd like to congratulate Real Madrid on last night's title. It's always a good thing when a Spanish team wins."
"The transfer window hasn't closed yet and we're sure we're going to have the best squad to compete. We've full confidence in what Monchi is going to do."

Team News

Osasuna, Sevilla, La Liga, Spain
Predicted Starting Lineup Source: buildlineup.com
Source: UGC

Osausuna

Arrasate has named 23 players for the crunch match at home to Sevilla.

Osasuna will be without Ante Budimir, Aitor Fernandez and Kike Saveiro for the clash against Sevilla on Friday due to injury.

Midfielders Darko Brasanac and Lucas Torro could be handed starting berth, while Ruben Garcia and Ezequiel Avila are expected to start upfront.

New signings Moi Gomez and Manu Sanchez will be pushing to make their debuts for the Pamplona-based club.

Sevilla

Lopetegui has also named a 23-man roster to face Osasuna. Manchester United full-back Alex Telles is expected to be handed his debut on Friday, but new signing Isco will miss the tie.

Lopetegui could start Ivan Rakitic, Joan Jordan and former Dortmund man Thomas Delaney in a three-man midfield, with Argentine forward Lucas Ocampos and Jesus Corona will battle Eric Lamela for the wings position.

Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri will challenge Rafa Mir for the no.9 spot, while Jesus Navas is expected to be deployed at the right full-back spot.

Real Madrid Playmaker Isco Agrees to Join La Liga Club Sevilla

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Isco Alarcón is set to sign for Spanish La Liga side Sevilla this summer after 9 seasons with European champions Real Madrid.

The Spain international, who is out of contract with Real Madrid since June, has reportedly penned a two-year deal, the Seville-based club has announced.

Isco is pushing to get more playing time before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after dropping down the pecking order at Los Blancos, where he had a bit-part role under Carlo Ancelotti.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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