OSASUNA NEWS

David Garcia - Muscle injury confirmed Garcia has been confirmed to have suffered a muscle injury, as manager Jagoba Arrasate told reporters, "Garcia's thing is muscular, per Diego Eusa of Diario de Noticias de Navarra....

Impact Garcia recently picked up an injury in the club's most recent match against Alaves, as it has now been deemed as a muscular issue, with the exact area of the problem still being unknown. The club has yet to have the player undergo tests, so it is still up in the air when he will return. There is a decent chance it is only a minor issue, and he can take the field against Girona on Saturday, although, with the international break in two weeks, the club may want to preserve the player until then following the injury, making a return March 30 against Almeria much more likely.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Late Budimir strike gives Osasuna win over Alaves in La Liga

Croatian striker Ante Budimir has scored with 14 minutes left to give home side Osasuna a 1-0 win over Alaves in the Spanish league

MARCH 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

David Garcia - Comes off injured Garcia was forced off with an injury during the second half of Monday's clash with Alaves.

Impact Garcia came off just 20 minutes into the second half in clear discomfort. Unai Garcia came on to replace him, and could take a larger role in the starting XI moving forward. Garcia's first chance to return from the injury will be a Saturday trip to Girona on short rest.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Kike Barja - Forced off early Barja was forced off with an apparent injury during the first half of Monday's clash with Alaves.

Impact Barja made it just 15 minutes before being forced off the pitch in favor of Moi Gomez. Gomez has largely been the starting option so moving forward he would likely have taken the top job back, even if the injury to Barja doesn't prove to be a serious one.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Arnaiz - Fit for Monday's match Arnaiz (biceps) is on the bench for Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Arnaiz makes his return to the team Monday, ending a three-match absence due to a biceps issue. The forward should be expected to remain in a bench role for most of the club's contests moving forward, as he has only started five times in his 17 appearances this season.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Raul Garcia - On bench to face Alaves Garcia (undisclosed) is on the bench for Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Garcia will avoid any time on the sidelines after being limited in training this week due to an undisclosed issue, as he is on the bench to face Alaves. The forward will most likely remain on the bench moving forward despite starting in four of the club's past seven matches, as he has only gained the start in seven of his 23 appearances this season.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ante Budimir - Makes starting XI Budimir (nose) is in the starting XI for Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Budimir will not miss any time despite receiving a fracture in his nose in the club's last contest, as he has made the starting XI and will most likely be wearing a mask for the contest. This comes as a bit of a surprise, as the player was not expected to play even though he was working with the team. He should most likely remain in the starting XI moving forward, as he has only missed three starts all season.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Jesus Areso - Gets start Monday Areso (sprain) is in the starting XI for Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Areso had a sight injury scare this week after coming off the field early against Las Palmas in their last match due to a muscular problem but will avoid missing any time, as he is in the starting XI to face Alaves. The defender will most likely remain in the starting role at right-back, although once Ruben Pena heals from his quadriceps injury, he will have more competition for that role.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Cruz - Given bench role in return Cruz (illness) is on the bench for Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Cruz is back with the team after missing the club's most recent contest against La Palmas, having healed from his illness and earned a pot on the bench Monday. He will hope to find some time in the starting XI next match after testing hit fitness against Alaves, as the defender has started in 14 of his 18 appearances this season.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ruben Pena - Left out of squad list Pena (quadriceps) is not an option for Monday's match against Alaves after being left out of the squad list.

Impact Pena will be missing his second match in a row, still having yet to heal from a quadriceps issue. This should come as no suprise for the defender, as he only started his rehabilitation work this past week, having yet to train with the group. Expect Jesus Areso to get the start in his place once again, with Pena now looking ahead to next's week match against Girona on Saturday for a return.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Raul Garcia - Limited in training Garcia was limited from Wednesday's training session, having been held to individual training ahead of Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Garcia looks to be the newest member of the club to join the injury list, appearing to have picked up an undisclosed injury during training this week. This could be a brutal turn of events for the club, as Ante Budimir is already out with a nose issue, and Jose Arnaiz is questionable with a biceps injury, with no other forward playing a single minute this season besides Garcia, Budimir and Arnaiz. With only three days until the match, Garcia will hope to find a rise in fitness to be fit for the contest, as he is currently their top option to start at forward, with Iker Benito being the most likely replacement if any of the other three cannot compete.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Ante Budimir - Begins individual training Budimir (nose) started individual training ahead of Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Budimir is already on the road to recovery after obtaining a fractured nose following Saturday's match against Cadiz. This is excellent news for the club, as the forward has started in all but three contests this season, although he most likely will still need another week to recover and won't face Alaves. With that being said, Raul Garcia will most likely get the start in his place, with Budimir hopefully being an option next week against Girona on Saturday.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Ruben Pena - Starts rehabilitation process Pena (quadriceps) has started to work on his recovery process ahead of Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Pena recently missed out on the club's last match due to a quadriceps injury and is now starting his rehabilitation process a week after picking up the issue. This means the player is most likely going to miss Monday's match with only three days to recover until then, as he has yet to take part in training on the field or with the group. This means Jesus Areso will most likely get the start at right-back once again despite going down injured last week, as he is already training with the group and looks to be an option.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Jesus Areso - Working with team Areso (sprain) has been upgraded to group training ahead of Monday's match against Alaves.

Impact Areson went down in the club's most recent match against Las Palmas due to a strain but appears to already be on the road to recovery and a possibility for Monday's match after getting the boost to group training. This is good news for the club, as he has been a regular starter this season, only missing out on eight starts this season while not missing a single team sheet. He will now have a further three days to recover and will hope to find the starting XI once again against Alaves.

FEBRUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Ante Budimir - Won't require surgery Budimir will not require surgery to repair a right sinus fracture, the club announced Tuesday.

Impact It's certainly good news that Budimir will not have to undergo surgery but the club's release did state that he "will begin a conservative treatment," which would seem to indicate that he won't be ready to face Deportivo Alaves on Monday. Ruben Garcia could be pressed into the starting XI with Budimir sidelined.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Jon Moncayola - Sends in seven crosses in draw Jon Moncayola had seven crosses (four accurate) and six corners in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Las Palmas. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 45th minute.

Impact Moncayola had a good offensive performance and led Osasuna in crosses during the match. The midfielder also took six of their seven corner kicks. He did receive his second yellow card of the season in the proccess, though.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Jesus Areso - Subs off with muscular issue Jesus Areso generated three crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Las Palmas. He was injured and subbed out in the 74th minute.

Impact Areso was having a decent outing for Osasuna before subbing off in the 74th minute with a muscular injury. The issue looks to be minor, but he's still questionable against Alaves. Inigo Arguibide Goni may get the nod if he's not cleared by the doctors.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Johan Mojica - Assists at Las Palmas Mojica assisted once to go with five crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Las Palmas.

Impact Mojica created Unai Garcia's opener in the 49th minute with his second assist in the season. That's an improvement since he recorded zero assists in 2022-23, but still short from his five in 2021-22. The midfielder had a good all-around performance, logging the second-most crosses, clearances (three) and tackles (two) for Osasuna.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Garcia - Scores opener in draw Unai Garcia scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Las Palmas.

Impact Garcia scored the opener in the 49th minute to give Osasuna the lead just after halftime with his first goal in the season. That was only his fourth start in the campaign, as he was mostly a backup option. The centerback will now look for more playing time in the squad.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Herrera - Makes two saves in draw Herrera recorded two saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Las Palmas.

Impact Herrera conceded once in the second half, but matched his season-high in clearances (three) during the game. The goalkeeper was coming from two straight clean sheets before, though. He will now look for another against Alaves on Monday.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Ante Budimir - Suffers nose injury Budimir has been confirmed to have picked up a fracture in his nose, the club announced Monday.

Impact Budimir's loss is an unfortunate turn of events for Osasuna, as he has been a regular starter and their best goal scorer this season, getting the start in all but three matches this season while notching 13 goals in 26 appearances. The forward still has to undergo further testing to determine if he will need surgery or not, which could make a huge difference in his recovery, as he should be expected to miss around two weeks if it is not needed but would miss around a month if surgery was required. Either way, his absence will cause change within the starting XI, with Raul Garcia being his most likely replacement.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

David Garcia - Suspension served Garcia will be in contention against Deportivo Alaves on Monday after serving his one-match suspension.

Impact Garcia has started and played the full 90 minutes in all but one of the club's 25 La Liga matches this season, so he should be a lock for the starting XI now that his suspension is behind him. Jorge Herrando or Unai Garcia figures to be dropped from the starting XI with Garcia's return to action.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Ruben Pena - Not an option for Sunday Pena (quadriceps) will not be available for Sunday's match against Las Palmas, according to the club.

Impact Pena had to concede his spot in the 60th minute of their last match against Cadiz due to a muscle issue and has yet to recover from the injury, as he is now out for the Las Palmas contest. This will affect the team, as he has started in all but six games this season, with Jesus Areso being his most likely replacement.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Cruz - Won't play Sunday Cruz (illness) will not be an option for Sunday's match against Las Palmas, the club announced Saturday.

Impact Cruz had been limited over the past two days of training due to an illness he picked up midweek, so his absence shouldn't come as much of a surprise. This will leave Alejandro Catena, Unai Garcia and Jorge Herrando to most likely gain the starts at center-back. However, Cruz should be available by next weekend, as he is only dealing with an illness, hoping to gain back his starting role against Alaves next Monday.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE