First Team 13 Sep 2025

Alessio Lisci: "We have to do a great game. Rayo is an uncomfortable opponent"

Osasuna head coach Alessio Lisci addressed the media ahead of tomorrow's match against Rayo Vallecano at El Sadar, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CET (5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET). In the press conference, Lisci analyzed Vallecano's current form, playing style, and how his team has prepared for the encounter.

"We have to do a great game. Rayo is an uncomfortable opponent," Lisci said. "Since [head coach] Iñigo [Pérez] arrived, we haven't beaten them — with two losses and a draw. It’s not due to luck; that was a hard-earned point here at El Sadar. It will be a difficult match, but Primera División isn't easy, and we need to play well regardless of the opponent."

The Italian coach highlighted the keys to the game and mentioned Rayo's strengths. 

"Against Rayo, it’s crucial to stop them from going deep. They are always looking for space, which is why we need a strong pressing system. We have to be aggressive but remain vigilant. When they have the ball, we must prevent them from pressing us, as that’s where they inflict the most damage," Lisci noted. "I think Iñigo is doing a great job; he’s always improving, and the results support that. I really like Rayo. I’ve been studying them, and I like their movement upfield, their constant pressing, and how they retreat. They're a well-trained team, and it’s impressive to watch them play."

When asked about his players, Lisci alluded to some promising signs and his hopes for a repeat performance against Valencia, while acknowledging the differences between the two teams.

"The team is in a good spot. We need to be more consistent throughout matches, especially after struggling with that against Espanyol. In every match, we've shown good moments and created clear chances, which is how we continue to evolve. Hopefully, we can replicate our performance against Valencia, but these are two very different teams with little in common. We’ll need a different approach. I’m optimistic and excited to be back at El Sadar with our fans."

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