FC Barcelona Hosts Osasuna in Crucial La Liga Clash Amid Injuries

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona returns to La Liga action on Thursday, March 27, facing Osasuna in a crucial match after an international break. Originally scheduled for March 8, the game was postponed last minute, causing disruption for both teams. Despite appeals to reschedule, La Liga upheld the March 27 date, leaving both teams with a condensed fixture list.

Barcelona, currently leading the La Liga standings, sits atop the table tied on points with Real Madrid but boasts a game in hand. Their squad faces notable absences, particularly of Brazilian forward Raphinha and Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo, who are returning from international duty in South America. Raphinha participated in his team’s 4-1 loss against Argentina, while Araujo contributed to a 0-0 draw against Bolivia.

Under the guidance of German coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona looks to maintain their grip on the top position. Flick addressed the press, confirming that “they are coming back via a long journey, and it’s not the best recovery” for Raphinha and Araujo. He predicted that Inigo Martinez and Eric Garcia would step into the defense, with young defender Pau Cubarsi on the bench.

Osasuna, managed by Vicente Moreno, previously upset Barcelona in their last encounter on September 28, 2024, when they secured a surprising 4-2 victory at El Sadar. Moreno acknowledged the difficulty of facing a team that can adapt to plans and execute effectively, stating, “We have a clear idea of what we want to do, knowing that we are facing an opponent that sometimes allows you to execute your plan.”

Barcelona’s lineup for the match includes goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and star striker Robert Lewandowski, although his participation remains uncertain due to an injury. The home team relies on teenager Lamine Yamal, who has six goals already this season and recently impressed for Spain in the UEFA Nations League, scoring against the Netherlands.

Despite the absence of key players, a victory could solidify Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid, which currently sits in second place. The Catalan team has expressed hopes of gaining a more substantial advantage over rivals, especially Atletico Madrid, currently trailing in the race for the title.

Head coach Moreno is preparing for a tough match, unsure of the impact of fatigue on Barcelona players returning from international commitments. Competing teams such as Osasuna, standing 14th in the table with 33 points, must guard against slipping into the relegation zone as they approach the season’s final stretch. With significant stakes for both teams, Barcelona aims for three points on home ground.

The match, set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, can be viewed on ESPN+ in the USA. With tensions high and both teams seeking vital points, the showdown promises to be an essential clash in La Liga’s title race.