At this point, the general feeling is that it's just a matter of time. A matter of time before Xavi wins his first La Liga title as coach. A matter of time before Barcelona win their first League title in 3 seasons!
After dispatching Real Betis in commanding fashion, the Blaugrana are set to roar again as they welcome Osasuna to the Spotify Camp Nou. The team's performance against Los Verdiblancos was encouraging and it showed Barcelona close to their best this season. That's what happens when you have a fully fit squad.
Osasuna are, by their own standards, having a fantastic season as well. They are set to play their first Cup final in 18 years on Saturday against Real Madrid, but they'll have to get through a dress rehearsal against their archrivals. They seem focused on finishing in the Europeean spots this season, but there's no way they won't be thinking about the Copa del Rey final as they head into this clash.
INTERESTING STATS
- Barcelona have lost just one of their last 13 games vs Osasuna in La Liga (W9 D3), 1-2 in July 2020, scoring at least once in each of their most recent ten league matches (34 goals in total, an average of 3.4 per game).
- Barcelona have scored more goals against Osasuna than any other side in La Liga history, both overall (178) and in home games (120).
- Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in 24 of their 32 La Liga games this season, equalling their best tally of clean sheets in a single season in the history of the competition (24 in 44 matches in the 1986/87 campaign).
- Osasuna have suffered four defeats in their last eight La Liga games (W3 D1), as many as in their previous 15 league games (W5 D6 L4).
- Jagoba Arrasate has lost four of his last five games against Barcelona in La Liga (D1), having suffered just one defeat in his first four league games against them (W2 D1).
TEAM NEWS
Barcelona
Xavi will be without Sergi Roberto due to a hamstring injury. The rest of the squad are fit and firing.
TerStegen will be looking to equal Chelsea's clean sheet record of 25 as he starts in goal, shielded by Araujo, Koundé, Christensen and Balde.
Pedri and Frenkie DeJong are sure to start alongside Busquets. Gavi has played so many minutes in recent times and a rest may be useful. As such, Xavi may revert back to 4-3-3 with Ansu Fati starting at LW. This will, however, be their last game until the 14th, which means plenty of time to recuperate and Xavi will probably stick to his Gala XI for this game.
Robert Lewandowski has resumed scoring and is expected to continue against Osasuna, with the electric Raphinha by his side. Ousmane Dembele, not yet fully fit, should be seen later on, along with Ferran Torres and possibly Lamine Yamal once more.
Osasuna
As for Osasuna, Darko Brasanac is a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury, while David Garcia is a huge doubt for the visitors due to a muscular problem. Jagoba Arrasate has otherwise, a fit squad for his game. His eyes will be firmly set on the cup final, so rotations may be expected.
Sergio Herrera will take his spot between the sticks. Aridane Hernandez and Juan Cruz should form the central defensive partnership. And Nacho Vidal and Manu Sanchez should be the two full-backs.
As for the midfield unit, Jon Moncayola and Iker Munoz should pair up in the double pivot. Aimar Oroz will be flanked by Moi Gomez and Kike Barja. Kike Garcia or Ante Budimir are options to spearhead the attack.
Where are Barcelona vs Osasuna playing?
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Stadium: Camp Nou
Date: Tuesday 2 May
Kick-off Time: 18:30 BST / 13:30 ET / 10:30 PT
Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva
VAR: Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea
Osasuna are capable of causing Barcelona problems on their best days, but this will be a big mountain to climb. Barcelona are back go full strength and should be able to win this game comfortably, as long as they remain as focused as they were against Real Betis.
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