FC Barcelona - Osasuna: Aiming for revenge and the sole lead in LaLiga

Once the international break is over, the ball will roll again in LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025. The FC Barcelona returns to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys to face Osasuna for matchday 27 of the competition, which was postponed for exceptional reasons. The Catalans are aiming for a key victory that, in addition to serving as revenge for the defeat suffered in the first round of the season against the 'rojillos', will allow them to pull ahead again in the standings and get even closer to the league title.

• 📺 Schedules and TV: when and where to watch the match live in Spain, Europe, America, Africa, and Asia: WATCH

The match, which was initially postponed due to the passing of the Barça doctor, Carles Miñarro, on March 8, will be played practically against the will of both teams. Both the Catalans and the Navarrese had requested to play between matchdays 37 and 38 to avoid conflicts with national team call-ups, but the RFEF, in a highly controversial decision, determined that it would take place on March 27. The appeals presented by both teams were dismissed, and finally, the match will be held this Thursday, further tightening the schedule.

Despite this condition, the players led by Hansi Flick hope to maintain the good momentum shown before the FIFA date. The Blaugrana remain leaders of the tournament after achieving a historic comeback against Atlético de Madrid in matchday 28 of the tournament (2-4), a victory that feels like a championship win. The Catalans maintain their unbeaten streak of 18 matches in 2025, with a record of 15 wins and 3 draws, and the feelings on the field are excellent, so they hope to take advantage of their 'momentum' to deliver a nearly definitive blow to LaLiga.

The team of Vicente Moreno, on the other hand, is going through what is probably their worst moment of the season. The rojillos arrive in low spirits for the clash against the Blaugrana, as in their last 9 matches they have recorded a balance of 5 draws, 3 losses, and only 1 victory. The relegation spots are starting to loom on the horizon for the Navarrese, who hope to pull off an upset and reverse their situation against a rival they have already defeated this season.

Barça hopes to maintain its streak and get revenge against Osasuna.

Barça will take to the Montjuïc pitch with blood in their eyes after the disappointing, and surprising, result of the first meeting between the two teams this season. On September 28, 2024, the Catalans and Navarrese met at the Sadar stadium on Matchday 8 of LaLiga, and Vicente Moreno's team pulled off a stunning upset with a 4-2 victory, breaking the Catalans' unbeaten run in the league, who had achieved seven straight wins until that clash.

However, the outlook is now extremely discouraging for the visitors and quite exciting for the Blaugranas. In their last 10 matches against each other, the record has overwhelmingly favored the Catalans, with seven wins and one draw, compared to two for the Reds. In Barcelona, ​​specifically, the record is even more devastating, as Barça have won 11 of their last 13 home matches against Osasuna in LaLiga, averaging 3.5 goals per game in those matches.

To find the Navarrese side's last win on Barcelona soil, we have to go back to July 16, 2020. Amidst a bizarre situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the "gorritxoak" team stormed a Camp Nou empty due to health restrictions and defeated Quique Setién's team 2-1 on Matchday 37 of that championship, with the title already secured for Real Madrid.

Since then, Barcelona have imposed their rule at home, recording four consecutive league victories against Osasuna, scoring 10 goals and conceding 0. The Catalans will seek to maintain this trend and, in addition, achieve the long-awaited revenge, extend their unbeaten run in 2025 to surpass Xavi's record and get closer to that of Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who achieved 20 consecutive games without losing in his only season in charge of the first team (2013/14).

Barça arrives at the limit for the duel against Osasuna

The FC Barcelona will host Osasuna this Thursday with a squad that arrives at the limit after the international break. Hansi Flick confirmed the absences of Raphinha and Ronald Araujo for the match on March 27 due to just being released from their international commitments with Brazil and Uruguay.

Additionally, Pau Cubarsí will watch the match from the bench after suffering an ankle setback with Spain against the Netherlands to avoid risking his fitness. Furthermore, injured players Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Casadó will also not be available to the German coach.

Other key players like Jules Koundé (210'), Lamine Yamal (186'), and Frenkie de Jong (179') also made significant efforts during the FIFA date, which is why the coach is forced to manage a physically and mentally exhausted squad, as the schedule is tight and the next league commitment against Girona is just around the corner.

• ℹ️ Lineups: the possible starting XI of FC Barcelona and Osasuna: WATCH

In this way, Iñigo Martínez and Eric García will form the central duo due to the numerous absences in defense, while the full-backs will be covered by Koundé and Balde, as Héctor Fort, the substitute for the Frenchman, has played a total of 228 minutes with the Spanish U-19 national team. The midfield, on the other hand, will consist of De Jong, Pedri, and Gavi, with Dani Olmo taking the place of Raphinha in the attacking trio alongside Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.

The match will be of special attention for the '6' Blaugrana, who arrives on the brink of suspension for the match corresponding to matchday 27 of LaLiga. Therefore, if he receives another yellow card, he will miss the upcoming match against Girona on Sunday, March 30.

• Players at risk of suspension: Gavi.

Barça seeks to take another step towards the LaLiga title

The Barça is facing a golden opportunity to take a significant step towards their 28th title in LaLiga. A victory for the Catalans against the rojillos would allow them to pull ahead again at the top of the standings, which, as of today, they share with Real Madrid after their victory in Villarreal in the last match before the international break (1-2).

The merengue team, despite their poor football performance, has managed to stay afloat in LaLiga and has accumulated 10 points from the last 15 with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The rojiblancos, on the other hand, are struggling and in their last 5 matches have accumulated 8 points from 15, with a record of 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.

Last 5 results of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga: 🟢 Won 🟡 Drawn 🔴 Lost

• Real Madrid (D/W/L/W/W)

 🟡🟢🔴🟢🟢 Madrid has accumulated 11 of the last 18 points available. The white team secured their second consecutive victory at La Cerámica. In the last 5, they have 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with 8 goals for and 4 against.

• FC Barcelona (W/W/W/W/W)

🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢 The Barça has accumulated 18 of the last 18 points available. The Blaugrana team has won 6 consecutive matches. In the last 5, they have 5 wins, 0 draws, and 0 losses, with 23 goals for and 4 against.

• Atlético Madrid (D/W/W/L/L)

🟡🟢🟢🔴🔴 Atleti has accumulated 8 of the last 18 points available. The colchonero team has suffered two consecutive losses. In the last 5, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, with 9 goals for and 8 against.

A completely opposite present to that of the Catalans (60), who have the same points as the Madrid team (60) but could increase their lead to three with a victory in Montjuïc. The difference would be even more significant with the rojiblancos (56), who could fall 7 points behind and practically bid farewell to their title aspirations. The Catalans are going through a sweet moment and have been on a remarkable run of results since the start of the year, remaining unbeaten and accumulating 22 points from 24 with 7 wins and 1 draw.

Thus, the scenario is set for the Barça to make a statement and exponentially increase their chances of becoming LaLiga champions. The players led by Hansi Flick maintain a crushing dynamic and have once again confirmed themselves as the best team in the world, so they hope to maintain their excellent level to secure three points that bring them even closer to the possibility of adding another league trophy to their cabinets.

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