Date & Time: 28th September 2024, 9 PM CET
Stadium: Estadio El Sadar
Competition: La Liga 2024/25
Winning all 7 out of 7 games, Barcelona head into Matchday 8 of the 2024/25 La Liga season with a perfect run in the league thus far. After beating Getafe by the barest of margins, they are the favourites to emerge victorious against the mediocre defensive setup of Osasuna.
While the 3 points carry great precedence, Barca must look to wrap up proceedings in the first 60 minutes so that the players can get adequate rest for Champions League football midweek where the Catalans are in a dire need of the 3 points.
Osasuna’s Style of Play
Under the coaching of their new managerial recruit, Vicente Moreno, Osasuna are on the path to ascend from a solid mid table team to a team that can contend for a spot in one of Europe’s competitions.
Osasuna’s current run of form is a consequence of their efficient finishing on the odd occasion. Taking into account the statistical parameter of Big Chances Created, they rank a terrible 19th out of 20 teams in the league with a small total of 5.
Their efficient finishing is paired with a capable defense that is most involved whenever clearances are to be made against the opposition’s crosses into the box.
They are not as defensively active as the Getafe unit that Barca just faced which is exemplified by the fact that they rank 9th in fouls commited and tackles attempted in the league. Whereas, Getafe rank 2nd and 1st in these categories respectively.
The entirety of their offense relies on finding spaces on the counter attack, this is what enables them to be efficient in front of goal as the few opportunities they create are those which are not defended with great rigour.
Osasuna’s Recent Form
Osasuna are currently in 7th place in the La Liga standings. Out of the 7 games, they were able to win 3 games while 2 games ended in draw and 2 were where they were defeated.
Amongst the top 10 teams in the league, Osasuna have scored the least goals as they have only netted a total of 8 goals thus far. As far as their defense is concerned, they have conceded 11 goals in these 7 games which has made them the 3rd worst defense in the top 10.
Their poor defensive record could primarily be attributed to the 4-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Girona, a team that the Catalans had their way against. Additionally, they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano which also had a major influence in their high total of goals conceded.
In their recent matchup against Valencia, the game ended up in an anticlimatic scoreless draw. Osasuna also drew 1-1 against Leganes in their first game of the season.
Osasuna’s list of victories comprise of a 1-0 triumph against Mallorca, an impressive 3-2 defeat handed to Celta, and a comfortable 2-1 win against Las Palmas.
Osasuna’s Threatening Talents
Osasuna’s offensive threat may not be abundant but it sure is efficient. Flick’s men must be wary of Ante Budimir’s threat in the hosts’ frontline, who is expected to start in this encounter. Budemir may not be in the best of form right now, but his ability to attack the box at the right time could laud him the odd chance at some time in the game.
Moreover, Ruben Garcia has been Osasuna’s best playmaker of the season thus far. Deployed on the right flank, Garcia is adept at holding the ball and making incisive passes in the final third to find the open spaces.
Barcelona vs Osasuna Recent H2H Results
Barcelona 1-0 Osasuna (La Liga 2023/24)
Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna (Spanish Supercup 2024)
Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona (La Liga 2023/24)
Barcelona 1-0 Osasuna (La Liga 2022/23)
Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona (La Liga 2022/23
