Barcelona host Osasuna on Thursday evening in a highly controversial fixture that has prompted anger from both clubs.
By Graham Ruthven
Playing catch-up
This fixture was originally postponed earlier this month due to the death of Barca team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.
The rearranged fixture was therefore always likely to congest the schedule for both teams, but neither are happy with the game being played so close to the international window when some players won’t be long back from national team duty.
Barca and Osasuna both failed in their appeals for the fixture to be moved, meaning the two teams faced the prospect of two games in just four days – Barcelona play Girona on Sunday with Osasuna up against Athletic Club.
Despite the scheduling controversy, Barca start the final stretch of the club season in excellent shape. They have won their last seven league games in succession and sit top of LaLiga. The Catalans are title favourites at this point.
For Osasuna, though, the hope is that the international break gave them the opportunity to reset after a six-game winless run across all competitions.
While Vicente Moreno’s team have a six-point cushion on the relegation places, they must find form quickly to avoid being sucked into trouble near the foot of the table.
Key players
For club and country, Lamine Yamal is the brightest spark on the pitch. He proved this by scoring a crucial goal for Spain in their UEFA Nations League win over the Netherlands. The teenager will likely be Barca’s main threat against Osasuna too.
Nobody has scored more goals for Barcelona this season than Robert Lewandowski and the Polish striker is expected to lead the line for the Catalans on Thursday, although Ferran Torres could be a rotational option.
Pedri and Gavi will control the game in central midfield with Frenkie de Jong currently in good form as the midfielder who gives Barcelona a different dimension due to his eye-catching dribbling ability.
Osasuna have already beaten Barca once this season and will look to recycle the game plan that worked back in September by exploiting the Catalans’ high defensive line.
Ante Budimir netted in that match, and has 15 goals to his name in LaLiga this season. The Croatian will pose a threat once more at Montjuïc with Rubén García and Aimar Oroz two others to keep an eye on.
Team news
Ronald Araújo and Raphinha are expected to be back in the Barcelona squad, but after playing for Uruguay and Brazil respectively on Tuesday night it’s possible both players could start Thursday night’s game on the bench.
Pau Cubarsí is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury while playing for Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. However, Iñigo Martínez is back in training after recovering from a knee issue.
Osasuna will be without Bryan Zaragoza after the on-loan Bayern Munich winger was forced off against Getafe before the international break.
Lucas Torro will serve a suspension while Enzo Boyomo will be in the same situation as Araújo and Raphinha having played for Cameroon earlier this week.
Prediction
We’re expecting Barca to head in to the weekend with a three point advantage at the top of LaLiga, winning this game with a minimum of fuss, despite all the noise pre-match: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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