Barça are hanging on to dear life and are presented with a chance to recover a bit.
Wounded champions Barcelona are currently in a fix. The performances and results of the last 2 games were a dagger to the heart of every fan who had the displeasure of watching them. In a space of 5 days, Xavi's men were basically eliminated from two competitions, the Copa del Rey and La Liga, which leaves the Champions League the only trophy left to realistically play for. And to add insult to injury, Xavi Hernandez announced that he was leaving the club at the end of the season. All these events are bound to have a devastating effect on the team, but alas, there will be no time to lick their wounds, as they face Osasuna in a rematch of the Supercup semifinal.
Jagoba Arrasate's men have had a decent run of games, recording 3 wins in their last 5, but they come into this contest on the back of a 1-1 draw against Sevilla. They sit comfortably in midtable (12th), but they'll have their eyes on a possible european finish up once more and will want to perform better than they did against the defending champions in Saudi Arabia. Games against Barça are evenly contested for the most part, so we expect the basque team to play as fearlessly as they usually do.
INTERESTING STATS
- Less than a month back, both teams met in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona won 2-0 on the night.
- The Catalan giants have won 28 out of the 44 matches played against Osasuna who only have six wins to their name.
-The visitors have lost each of their last six games against Xavi’s team. They haven’t won in any of their last eight matches.
- Osasuna have been winless in their last six away games. They have lost four and drawn two since their 2-0 win over Alaves back in October.
- Barcelona are heading into this on the back of a defeat, their only one in their last five league games
Last five meetings
11/1/24 Barça 2-0 Osasuna
3/9/23 Osasuna 1-2 Barça
02/05/23 Barça 1-0 Osasuna
08/11/22 Osasuna 1-2 Barça
13/03/22 Barça 4-0 Osasuna
TEAM NEWS
Things have been topsy turvy on the injury front as well for the catalan giants. Alejandro Balde just underwent surgery for a hamstring tendon tear and is done for the season. Marcos Alonso is still recovering post surgery from a back injury. Marc Andre TerStegen and Iñigo Martinez are closer to a return from back and hamstring injuries respectively but still unavailable. Sergi Roberto sustained an Achilles tendon problem in training. João Felix sustained an ankle sprain in training and joins them on the sidelines, along with Raphinha (hamstring injury) and Gavi (ACL). João Cancelo has however returned to full fitness and is available for selection.
Iñaki Pena hasn't covered himself in glory lately but will still deputize between the sticks. Ronald Araujo, Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen have all been below par as well, but they'll get a small chance at a bit of redemption here. Hector Fort has been impressive and could very well see much more minutes now that Balde is out. Him and Cancelo will likely start in defense. 16 year old Pau Cubarsà has shown real potential and could very well feature here, perhaps ahead of one of the main guys.
Pedri, Gündoghan and Frenkie will form the midfield, with Oriol Romeu and newly promoted Fermin Lopez available also.
Lamine Yamal has been the only major positive for Barça in the past few games. It'll be tasking to start a 16 year old every match day, but Xavi will feel his hands are tied at the moment. Misfiring Robert lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Vitor Roque all have chances to start alongside him. Marc Guiu will also be available for selection.
Osasuna
Chimy Avila is closing in on a return from injury, but this fixture comes way too soon for him. Meanwhile, Jesus Areso who has made substitute appearances in their last two outings, could come into the XI for this fixture.
Sergio Herrera will be in goal, and the back three will be made up of David Garcia, Juan Cruz and Alejandro Catena, with the support of Areso and Ruben Pena who will feature as the wing-backs.
Aimar Oroz will start alongside Iker Munoz and Moi Gomez in midfield, while Ante Budimir will pair up with Arnaiz up top in attack.
What time does Barcelona vs Osasuna kick-off?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Date: Wednesday 31 January
Kick-off Time: 18:00 GMT / 13:00 ET / 10:00 PT
Referee: Jorge Figueroa Vazquez
VAR: Valentin Pizarro Gomez
It's a hard knock life for FC Barcelona right now. How they respond to recent events will say a lot about their aspirations for the rest of the season and as a team. Osasuna will certainly not make it easy and will be very brave, but they'll be facing a wounded lion. Whether that lion still has last gasp Samson-esque strength in him is the question, which will be answered as the season progresses.