Barcelona vs. Osasuna | La Liga | Pre Match
Barcelona vs. Osasuna
Barcelona’s relentless pursuit of the La Liga title continues unabated on Saturday evening as they welcome Osasuna to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, a fixture that pits the league leaders against a mid-table side struggling to recapture their early-season spark, setting the stage for what could be another step toward glory for Hansi Flick’s Catalan giants. The Blaugrana have been in scintillating form, riding a wave of six consecutive victories in Spain’s top flight, amassing a formidable 57 points from 26 matches to sit atop the La Liga standings, a perch that underscores their dominance this season. Osasuna, by contrast, find themselves languishing in 11th place, winless since the start of February, their campaign a tale of resilience but also frustration as they’ve failed to convert draws into victories in recent weeks. For Barcelona, this match is more than just another league outing—it’s a chance to maintain their slender one-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid and extend their three-point cushion over reigning champions Real Madrid, who occupy third. With an unbeaten streak across all competitions stretching back to December 21, the Catalan outfit are not only chasing La Liga glory but also positioning themselves as serious contenders in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, a potential treble that would mark an extraordinary debut season for Flick at the helm. Osasuna, meanwhile, arrive with the faint hope of repeating their shock 4-2 triumph over Barcelona from the reverse fixture in September, but their recent form suggests they’ll need a near-miraculous performance to derail the Blaugrana juggernaut on their home turf.
Barcelona’s recent run in La Liga has been nothing short of imperious, with their six-game winning streak—including a resounding 4-0 demolition of Real Sociedad last weekend—highlighting a team firing on all cylinders, blending attacking flair with a defensive solidity that has seen them concede just three goals in the competition this calendar year. Flick’s tactical imprint is unmistakable: a high-pressing, possession-based style that overwhelms opponents, paired with a backline that has tightened up considerably after early-season wobbles. Their latest triumph, a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Portugal, further showcased their ability to grind out results on the road, a Robert Lewandowski-inspired effort giving them a strong foothold ahead of the return leg. In La Liga, Barcelona’s 71 goals make them the division’s most prolific side, with Lewandowski leading the charts at 21 strikes, his predatory instincts driving a frontline that has left defenses reeling. The Catalans’ dominance isn’t just statistical—it’s palpable in their swagger, their ability to turn games in their favor even when not at their fluid best, as evidenced by their Copa del Rey semi-final deadlock with Atletico Madrid, where a 4-4 aggregate scoreline keeps that tie finely poised ahead of the April 2 decider at the Wanda Metropolitano. Against Osasuna, Barcelona will look to extend their winning run to seven, a result that would not only reinforce their title credentials but also send a message to their rivals that this is a team built for the long haul, capable of sustaining excellence across multiple fronts as the season reaches its climax.
Osasuna, under Vicente Moreno, face an uphill battle as they travel to Catalonia, their form having deserted them since a bright start to the campaign faded into a winless run that now stretches back to early February, a drought that has seen them slip to 11th in the table despite a roster boasting genuine quality. Their last victory, a gritty affair at the beginning of the month, feels like a distant memory, with five subsequent matches yielding three draws and two defeats—a 3-3 stalemate with Valencia their most recent outing, a game where they squandered a lead late on to settle for a point. Ante Budimir has been a shining light amid the gloom, his 14 La Liga goals placing him third in the scoring charts behind only Lewandowski and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe (17), a tally that speaks to his clinical finishing and importance to Moreno’s setup. Yet, for all Budimir’s heroics, Osasuna’s inability to turn individual brilliance into collective success has left them five points adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis, a gap that keeps European qualification within reach but increasingly tenuous as the weeks tick by. The Rojillos can draw some inspiration from their earlier 4-2 upset over Barcelona in September, a chaotic, high-scoring affair that exposed rare frailties in the Blaugrana defense, as well as a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou in July 2020, but replicating such feats against a side in this kind of form will require a monumental effort—discipline, luck, and perhaps a touch of magic from Budimir if they’re to defy the odds once more.
Barcelona’s squad is nearing full strength as they prepare for Saturday’s clash, with Flick hopeful that midfield dynamo Gavi can shake off the illness that sidelined him for the last two matches, including the Benfica trip, and return to bolster an already formidable lineup—a prospect made likelier by his near-involvement in Portugal. Andreas Christensen’s recovery from a muscular issue adds further depth, though Flick may opt to ease him back rather than thrust him straight into the starting XI, especially with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal still sidelined by long-term knee injuries that have tested the squad’s resilience earlier this season. Pau Cubarsi, sent off against Benfica, escapes a domestic ban and is expected to anchor the defense alongside Ronald Araujo, whose physicality could be key against Budimir, while Marc Casado’s energy might earn him a recall in midfield. Up top, Dani Olmo could get the nod over Gavi in the No. 10 role, given the latter’s recent absence, supporting Lewandowski in an attack that has terrorized La Liga defenses all term. Flick’s selections will balance the need for continuity with the demands of a packed schedule, but the quality at his disposal—combined with a home crowd baying for more goals—makes Barcelona overwhelming favorites to extend their streak and tighten their grip on the title race.
Osasuna’s preparations, by contrast, are hampered by injury concerns that threaten to blunt their already struggling side, with Aimar Oroz—a two-goal hero against Valencia—emerging as a major doubt after limping off with a muscular problem in that 3-3 draw, a blow that could rob them of creativity in the final third. Kike Barja stands ready to step in if Oroz misses out, while Moreno may also shuffle his defense, with Juan Cruz potentially replacing Abel Bretones at left-back to add experience against Barcelona’s marauding wingers. Budimir, the fulcrum of Osasuna’s attack, is a guaranteed starter, his aerial prowess and finishing ability offering their best hope of an upset, flanked by Ruben Garcia and Bryan Zaragoza, whose pace could test Barcelona’s high line if given space. Moreno will need his side to be compact, disciplined, and clinical—qualities that have eluded them in recent weeks—if they’re to pull off another shock against the league leaders. For Osasuna, this match is as much about pride as points, a chance to arrest their slide and rekindle faint European dreams, but the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys looms as a formidable cauldron where few escape unscathed, especially against a Barcelona side in this kind of relentless form.
