Barça are back in Saudi Arabia with plans of retaining the Spanish supercup. Who can stop them?
Reigning supercup champions Barcelona have had a mixed start to the new year. They've won both games so far, but the fans and media remain unconvinced to an extent. The same thing happened last year, with the journey to Saudi Arabia proving to be a turning point for the catalans. A convincing performance in the final provided enough confidence to win the La Liga title as well. Barça are desperately in need of inspiration once again, but they'll have to get pass a stubborn Osasuna.
The basque team haven't defeated Barcelona since 2020, but contests between these two have always been on the knife edge. Their presence in Saudi Arabia is a reward for their exceptional exploits last season, like reaching the Copa del Rey final. They were also able to finish 7th in the league and make the UECL playoffs, which they lost to Club Brugge. Their level this season isn't as good, but they're very capable of causing problems to any team in Spain on their best days. This is the first Supercup experience for the club, players and manager, so you can be sure they'll approach it with guns blazing.
INTERESTING STATS
- Barcelona are record winners of the Super Cup, having lifted the trophy on 14 occasions.
- Osasuna have lost six out of their last seven matches against Barcelona.
- The Catalan giants’ last 12 wins have all come by a one-goal margin.
- The away team last defeated Barcelona over three years back. Their last win came back in July 2020.
- Osasuna have failed to score more than one goal in seven out of their last eight matches, but they have kept things tight at the back with three clean sheets in the last four outings.
- In 22 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Barcelona have won 17 games, lost two and drawn three.
Last five meetings (all La Liga)
03/09/23 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
12/12/21 Osasuna 2-2 Barça.
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Fresh injury concerns for Xavi. Iñigo Martinez had to be withdrawn 12 minutes after been subbed on against Barbastro with a hamstring tear. He joins Gavi, TerStegena and Alonso in the infirmary. Pedri and João Cancelo are said to be nearing fitness, more so for the midfielder, who could feature against Osasuna.
Iñaki Pena will be in goal, shielded by the likely quartet of Jules Koundé, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde, who has recovered from illness.
IIkay Gündoghan, Frenkie Dejong and Sergi Roberto will likely form the midfield, even though Fermin Lopez made a good case for himself to earn a start. Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski will anchor the attack, with João Felix and Vitor Roque waiting on the bench to come in and make an impact.
Osasuna
Chimy Avila, who scored the last time these two met, will be unavailable due to the injury he sustained against Almeria. Unai Garcia and Johan Mojica have returned from injury and should feature from the bench. Sergio Herrera will be in goal, protected by Jesus Areso and Ruben Penaas full-backs with David Garcia and Alejandro Catena as centrebacks.
Lucas Torro will likely start alongside Jon Moncayola and Aimar Oroz. Ante Budimir and Arnaiz will feature on the flanks and support Moi Gomez in attack.
What time does Barcelona vs Osasuna kick-off?
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Stadium: King Saud University Stadium
- Date: Thursday 11 January
- Kick-off Time: 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT
- Referee: Alejandro Muniz Ruiz
- VAR: Carlos del Cerro Grande
Barcelona have the experience in the competition, but Osasuna will surely prove to be a formidable opponent, as they've done times before. Who will be playing the final on Sunday? Real Madrid lie in wait.