Girona were the surprise package of the 2023-24 La Liga season, collecting 81 points from 38 matches to finish in third place and secure European qualification for the first time in their history.

While they are now looking forward to competing in the Champions League, Girona will find it tough to replicate the lofty heights of last season, especially as they have seen a number of key players depart over the summer, including Savinho, Aleix Garcia, Yan Couto and Artem Dovbyk.

The Catalan side have made an effort to replace those that have departed, having made 10 additions during the course of the transfer window, but those signings have been unable to get Girona off to a fast start in La Liga.

Michel's side began the campaign with a 1-1 away draw against Real Betis, before they slumped to a heavy 3-0 defeat in Sunday's clash with Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.

The Blanquivermells will attempt to produce a positive response in their first home game of the season, with the hosts looking to produce the sort of performance that saw them win 15 of their 19 home league games last term (D2, L2).

Osasuna's Aimar Oroz celebrates scoring on August 17, 2024

© Imago

Meanwhile, Osasuna are competing in a La Liga campaign without Jagoba Arrasate at the helm for the first time since suffering relegation in 2016-17.

Vicente Moreno has been given the tough job of replacing the popular Arrasate, and he would have been fully aware of the importance of making a positive start following his brief spell at Almeria, where has was sacked after the first seven games of last season.

Moreno has already managed to outperform his disappointing Almeria tenure, having seen his Osasuna side draw with Leganes before beating Arrasate's Mallorca at the weekend.

Ruben Garcia's 55th-minute strike proved enough to guide Osasuna to a 1-0 win over Mallorca, ensuring that they have now gone six league games without defeat since losing to Real Betis on May 5.

Girona were the surprise package of the 2023-24 La Liga season, collecting 81 points from 38 matches to finish in third place and secure European qualification for the first time in their history.

While they are now looking forward to competing in the Champions League, Girona will find it tough to replicate the lofty heights of last season, especially as they have seen a number of key players depart over the summer, including Savinho, Aleix Garcia, Yan Couto and Artem Dovbyk.

The Catalan side have made an effort to replace those that have departed, having made 10 additions during the course of the transfer window, but those signings have been unable to get Girona off to a fast start in La Liga.

Michel's side began the campaign with a 1-1 away draw against Real Betis, before they slumped to a heavy 3-0 defeat in Sunday's clash with Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.

The Blanquivermells will attempt to produce a positive response in their first home game of the season, with the hosts looking to produce the sort of performance that saw them win 15 of their 19 home league games last term (D2, L2).

Osasuna's Aimar Oroz celebrates scoring on August 17, 2024

© Imago

Meanwhile, Osasuna are competing in a La Liga campaign without Jagoba Arrasate at the helm for the first time since suffering relegation in 2016-17.

Vicente Moreno has been given the tough job of replacing the popular Arrasate, and he would have been fully aware of the importance of making a positive start following his brief spell at Almeria, where has was sacked after the first seven games of last season.

Moreno has already managed to outperform his disappointing Almeria tenure, having seen his Osasuna side draw with Leganes before beating Arrasate's Mallorca at the weekend.

Ruben Garcia's 55th-minute strike proved enough to guide Osasuna to a 1-0 win over Mallorca, ensuring that they have now gone six league games without defeat since losing to Real Betis on May 5.

After beginning his tenure with back-to-back home games, Moreno is now preparing to take charge of his first away match as Osasuna boss, and he will be hoping to guide Los Rojillos to their first competitive away win over Girona since June 2016.

After beginning his tenure with back-to-back home games, Moreno is now preparing to take charge of his first away match as Osasuna boss, and he will be hoping to guide Los Rojillos to their first competitive away win over Girona since June 2016.