Pamplona carries a sense of urgency into El Sadar as Osasuna prepare to meet Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga’s seventh round, with both clubs seeking reassurance before the international break. The Navarrese side need to halt a damaging sequence, while visitors from Madrid are still looking for their first points away from home.
Osasuna seek a reset in Pamplona
- Osasuna enter the fixture on three successive defeats, having conceded 11 goals across that run.
- Luis Miguel Ramis’s team want to restore confidence, limit the growing uncertainty around the side and head into the break with a home victory.
- After this weekend, Osasuna will not play again until 11 October, when they travel south to face Betis in Seville.
- Rayo arrive encouraged by their win over Espanyol three days earlier, although they have yet to take a point on the road this season.
- The Vallecas club’s only points so far have come while playing home matches at Butarque, their temporary venue during the stadium issue.
- That uncertainty appears close to being resolved: Rayo expect to return to Vallecas for their next home fixture, a development that has eased some of the noise surrounding the squad.
The match begins at 14:00 at El Sadar, where an attendance close to the ground’s 23,500 capacity is expected. Manuel Jesús Orellana Cid has been appointed referee, with Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz overseeing VAR duties.
The game is available live on M+ LaLiga and free through DAZN.
Ramis backs Herrera after Atlético images
Ramis used his pre-match briefing to defend goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, whose image on the Osasuna bench during the 4-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid prompted criticism after television pictures showed him smiling.
The coach insisted that a brief moment on screen did not reflect Herrera’s standing or conduct within the dressing room. Ramis said it was unfair to question the goalkeeper or “add fuel” to the situation, stressing that Herrera has built an outstanding record at the club and behaves exceptionally as a teammate.
He added that, once Herrera learned he would not start against Atlético, his response was to give full support to Aitor Fernández.
Teams at El Sadar
Osasuna
Aitor Fernández; Arguibide, Catena, U. Santos, Rico; R. García, Moncayola, I. Muñoz, Osambela, K. Barja; Budimir.
Substitutes: Sergio Herrera, Rafa, Bonel, Boyomo, A. Bretones, Del Castillo, Dubasin, Echegoyen, R. García de Haro, R. Moro, L. Torró, Yeboah.
Rayo Vallecano
Audero; Ratiu, Sadick, Lejeune, Pedrosa; Ó. Valentín, P. Ciss, U. López; De Frutos, Camello, Á. García.
Substitutes: Cárdenas, Alemao, Balliu, Rayane, Bouare, M. De las Sias, P. Díaz, P. Fernández, Kumbulla, F. Pérez, Tsitaishvili.
