Welcome back to TalkBarca. Our topic for today is the Match Preview of FC Barcelona vs Osasuna in the La Liga competition. Barcelona is hosting Osasuna at its home turf after two back to back away games. The Blaugranas are having a very tough time in La Liga. They previously lost against Atletico Madrid. Therefore, this is a must-win game for them. Here is the Match Preview of this crucial encounter between two very organized teams.
FC BARCELONA VS OSASUNA MATCH PREVIEW
Ronald Koemann and his players have a lot to figure out before they got out for this game. Barcelona is having one of the worst starts of the season in decades and the Blaugranas must do something about it before it gets too late. The Catalans are doing much better in the Champions League than in La Liga. In fact, FC Barcelona is at the top of its group and is very likely to finish at the same spot as well. Therefore, Ronald Koemann has more to worry about performing in his own league than in Europe.
Barca is facing many issues out of which injury issues are the biggest. The Blaugranas have many important players such as Gerrard Pique, Sergio Roberto, and Ansu Fati sidelined and out of the squad due to injuries. Furthermore, the manager, Ronald Koemann also said that Sergino Dest had some discomfort in his leg. However, he also cleared that Dest trained properly with the squad and was feeling okay. Koemann added that if Dest feels any sort of discomfort, he is not going to play against Osasuna because Koemann does not want to risk any injures.
However, Dest is a part of the squad and we have to wait for the starting lineup to see if Dest makes it. Another good news is that Sergio Busquests is declared fit and healthy to participate in this game. Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo are also back in training. However, it is going to take them some time to return to the squad. Therefore, Oscar Mingueza is very likely to accompany Clement Lenglet as the CB.
Osasuna is dealing with injury issues as well namely Chimy Avila, Brandon, David García, and Adrián López. Lucas Torro and Juan Perez are also not confirmed to play.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FC BARCELONA?
There is nothing special we can expect from Ronald Koemann and his men. The main objective of FC Barcelona is going to grab all three points from this game. Ronald Koemann is confident in his team and it is going to perform and get back to winning ways in La Liga. Frenkie De Jong and Lionel Messi got a well-deserved rest against Dynamo Kyiv. Therefore, they are going to come back in this game with fresh legs. Furthermore, Barcelona is expected to perform very well in this game considering their options in attack. Lionel, Dembele, Antoine alongside Philippe and Pjanic in the midfield can form a great attacking unit.
However, FC Barcelona is still shaky in defense. Oscar Mingueza delivered a great performance in his previous Champions League game. Therefore, he must have to maintain the image he has created and perform similarly.
CONCLUSION
Barcelona was able to deliver a very good winning display against Dynamo Kyiv in their previous encounter. However, the team also gave away many chances to the opposition. Osasuna is not going to come easy against FC Barcelona. Therefore, Barcelona must come in this game with a very solid defensive approach. Whatever, Ronald Koemann is planning for this game must result in a victory.
