Real Sociedad Prepares for Match Against Osasuna Amid Injury Concerns

This week, Real Sociedad is focused not only on the recovery of its injured players but also on that of its upcoming opponent, Osasuna, particularly Ante Budimir. Budimir has been instrumental in the last three LaLiga encounters between the two teams, scoring four goals and leading Osasuna to three victories.

In their most recent official match on February 2, 2025, Budimir scored twice in a 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad. Earlier in the season, he also contributed to a 0-2 win at El Sadar, marking a historic clean sweep for the Navarran side in LaLiga last year. However, they faced disappointment in the Copa del Rey, where a 2-0 defeat in San Sebastián during the quarter-finals eliminated them from the tournament.

Budimir’s successful streak in the league dates back even further, as he helped Osasuna secure a 0-1 victory at the Anoeta Stadium during the 2023-24 season. Notably, he did not score in the earlier encounter in Pamplona, which ended 1-1, while Moi Gómez found the net.

Real Sociedad, which is rumored to have considered signing the veteran striker in 2021 when he was purchased by Osasuna for €8 million, would certainly welcome his absence in the upcoming match at El Sadar. Given his history of scoring four goals in the last three meetings, the team is keenly watching his recovery from a left soleus muscle injury, which caused him to miss the match against Sevilla prior to the international break.

It appears that this physical issue will make it difficult for Budimir to return to the pitch in just five days. The situation will become clearer during Osasuna’s training sessions leading up to the match against Real Sociedad, with four out of five practices open to the public, while all of Real’s sessions will be closed to fans.