Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 earlier this week may well go down as the club’s single-most important performance in the competition in a while.
Going a man down in just the 22nd minute, the Catalans showed nerves of steel to keep their calm and hold off the hosts while Raphinha’s wonder-goal led them to a famous win away from home.
Before the reverse fixture at Montjuic next week, however, Barcelona must first fend off competition in La Liga from Osasuna who threaten to take away three points from them for the second time this season.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Osasuna.
Key players to rest
Having played against Benfica only on Wednesday night, Barcelona do not have long before their weekend’s clash against Osasuna kicks off at Montjuic.
To call the game in Lisbon to be draining out would be an understatement. The win is worth its weight in gold, but it is clear that playing with ten men for 70-odd minutes left the players winded.
Every player who started against Benfica ran the extra mile and completed the game exhausted beyond limits, and it is clear that it will be a priority to rest such players ahead of the second leg next week.
All signs thus point to right from in defence. With Pau Cubarsi suspended for the second leg, he will start against Osasuna and there are talks of Eric Garcia starting alongside him to rest Inigo Martinez and Ronald Araujo.
Alejandro Balde, who suffered a slight fitness setback midweek, trained normally today and will be available against Osasuna but the manager might prefer to err on the side of caution and start Gerard Martin at left-back.
The midfield, who ran the most in Lisbon, requires rest more than any other department and Pedri would be the first player to warrant the rotation. Given the riches in his arsenal, Flick could look to play a trio of Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Marc Casado on the night.
In attack, all signs point to Raphinha and Lamine Yamal starting although the department is also the least predictable position on the field.
Time for an Olmo re-run?
Dani Olmo as a false nine vs Osasuna? (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Barcelona have been on a goalscoring spree in recent weeks and 2025 has largely gone their way. The recent win over Benfica was simply the cherry on the cake.
Osasuna, however, pose a completely new threat to Barcelona as they will be vastly different from most opponents the Catalans have faced in recent weeks.
As relayed earlier today, the Pamplona-based side are preparing a five-man defence to contain Barcelona’s attacks and will look to capitalize on the counter to create their chances.
Utilising a system to counter the low-block, thus, will be key if the Blaugrana are to take three points and Dani Olmo may well hold the key.
Despite starting against Benfica midweek, the Spaniard was hooked off at just the 20-minute mark after Pau Cubarsi’s red card and should be fresh enough to start tomorrow in addition to the Champions League second leg next week.
Flick has experimented with Olmo as a false nine earlier this season and the system worked wonders in demolishing a low block. With Robert Lewandowski likely to be rested, playing the Spaniard as the false nine may well be a needed masterstroke.
Olmo’s ability to drop back, draw defenders, and open up spaces will give the likes of Raphinha, Fermin, and Yamal space to run into and it will be interesting to see if the coach gives the idea a serious thought.
A lesson that must be learned
Barcelona’s first game against Osasuna this season was the ninth on their calendar. Having got off to a flying start, Hansi Flick thus saw it to be the optimal chance to rest his regular starts and deploy a second-string lineup.
Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marc Casado, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde all started on the bench on the night and what followed was an absolute demolition of the Catalans as they went on to lose 4-2.
Flick came under fire for his decision to underestimate Osasuna and thus recorded his first domestic defeat with Barcelona simply because he opted to over-rotate against a quality opposition.
Tomorrow, he once again faces a real need to shuffle his cards against the same opposition and it will be key that he does not repeat his mistake of going overboard.
A lot has indeed changed since the last time Barcelona faced Osasuna with the biggest difference being that substitute players are now stepping up and delivering on a level previously not expected of them.
Going for a risky lineup, thus, may be warranted but it will be key that Flick recognizes the quality Osasuna have to hurt Barcelona’s style of play and weighs out the pros and cons of his lineup decisions before the game.