Barcelona vs Osasuna: Blaugranes Aim for Historic Eighth Consecutive Win
Preview and Team News
FC Barcelona is set to face CA Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium on Saturday, September 28, with the ambition of recording their eighth consecutive win in La Liga, a feat that would equal their best ever start to a league season. This match is part of the eighth matchday of the La Liga 2024-25 season.
Historical Context and Current Form
Barcelona has had a flawless start to the season, winning all seven of their La Liga matches so far against Valencia, Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano, Real Valladolid, Girona, Villarreal, and Getafe. A victory against Osasuna would match the impressive start achieved by 'Tata' Martino's team in the 2013/14 season.
Osasuna's Home Record
Osasuna, under the guidance of coach Vicente Moreno, has been unbeaten at home this season, gathering 10 points from a possible 12 at El Sadar. They currently sit seventh in the La Liga table, just outside the Europa Conference League spots. The team boasts a strong defense marshaled by Boyomo and a talented midfield with players like Aimar Oroz and Ante Budimir up front.
Squad Rotations and Injuries
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is expected to make significant rotations to his squad to manage the workload and mitigate the impact of several injuries. Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation who has been in stellar form, is likely to be benched along with Raphinha, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Inigo Martinez. Instead, Ferran Torres, Pau Victor, Sergi Dominguez, Gerard Martin, and Pedri are set to start.
Barcelona is dealing with a lengthy injury list, including the season-ending injury to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to a torn patellar tendon. Other key players like Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo, and Frenkie de Jong are also out due to various injuries.
Osasuna's Lineup and Challenges
Osasuna's coach Vicente Moreno has made five changes to the starting lineup that drew against Valencia. Ruben Garcia, Ante Budimir, and Bryan Zaragoza will form a fresh front three, while Pablo Ibenez, Juan Cruz, and Alejandro Catena also come into the starting XI. Osasuna is missing key players such as Iker Munoz with a broken leg and Kike Barja with an ACL tear.
Recent Head-to-Head and Historical Record
FC Barcelona has a strong record away at Osasuna, having not lost at El Sadar since the 2011/12 season. In recent meetings, Barcelona has secured five wins and three draws, including a 2-1 win last season thanks to goals from Kounde and Lewandowski.
Coach Hansi Flick's Comments
Hansi Flick expressed confidence in his team's preparation, stating, "We have prepared for a win at a tough ground. All our coaching staff are fantastic. We create an environment so that players can develop and feel at home." Flick emphasized that the team is ready for the challenge ahead.
Match Details
The match is scheduled to kick off at 9 PM CEST at Estadio El Sadar. Barcelona will be wearing their new green away strip for the occasion. The match will be broadcast on various channels, including ESPN Deportes in the USA, LaLigaTV in the UK, and beIN Sports in Australia.
As Barcelona aims to extend their winning streak and make history, they face a formidable opponent in Osasuna, who are determined to protect their unbeaten home record. This encounter promises to be an exciting and closely contested match.