Alessio Lisci: “We’re in a good moment, but we have to keep working hard to make it last”

Osasuna head coach Alessio Lisci spoke to the media on Friday ahead of Saturday’s match against Celta Vigo at Abanca Balaídos and assessed his side’s current form. Kickoff is set 9 p.m. CET (8 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m. ET).

“We’ve been on a really good run for the past couple of months and we’re in a good moment, but we have to work hard to make sure it continues because difficult matches are coming up, and above all, we have a lot of away games,” Lisci said. “We have to stay strong because it may look like we’re doing very well, but what matters are the points, and we’re not that far from the relegation zone.”

Lisci also stressed the importance of maintaining focus.

“Right now we’re at a good point in terms of confidence, but it’s important not to lose sight of where we came from,” he said. “We have to keep working because it may seem like we’re far from relegation, but it’s only four points. The reality is that if you don’t win in the short term, you’re one match away. We have to win, we have to keep going, we have to push and we have to keep picking up points.”

“We’re in a slightly more comfortable position, but relegation is pushing hard,” he added. “And now the teams you think you’ve left behind come back to life and someone else gets pulled in. Even Oviedo and Levante, who were falling away, are now doing very, very well. This is going to be a battle until the end and we can’t relax at any point.”

Lisci was also asked about the team’s victory against Rayo Vallecano — Osasuna’s first away win of the season — and its mental significance.

“I noticed it at the end of the match in Vallecas,” he said. “The players’ faces and the way they celebrated was different. The dressing room felt different compared to the wins we’ve had at home. Not because those wins don’t have merit, but because you carry that in your mind. So it has definitely helped us, without any doubt. That doesn’t change the fact that away matches are always very difficult, and we’re going to a stadium that is very tough.”

“It has been a very positive transfer window”

The Osasuna coach also offered his assessment of the club’s winter transfer window.

“To evaluate the window, you have to talk about [forward Sheraldo] Becker’s departure, the two arrivals and the players who didn’t leave,” Lisci said. “Some names have been mentioned publicly, but I can tell you there have been more offers for other players, and the club has stood very firm — and that’s not common nowadays.”