BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona don return to La Liga action as dem dey face Osasuna for on Thursday, after international break hold dem down. Dis match wey suppose happen on March 8 don gather plenty attention since e dey crucial for both teams as dem dey jostle for points.
La Liga reject both teams’ appeal to shift dis match date after dem complain say dem get too many games lined up. Barcelona dey lead the league table, tied on points with Real Madrid but with one game in hand, as dem prepare to contest dem 28th La Liga match of di season.
Coach Hansi Flick confirm say Brazilian striker Raphinha and Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo no go dey available for di match due to international duties. Raphinha wey play against Argentina for di 4-1 loss and Araujo wey participate for 0-0 draw with Bolivia no fit recover on time.
Flick talk during di press conference, “Raphinha and Araujo no fit make am. Dem dey come back from long journey, and di recovery no dey good for dem.” He also mention say Eric Garcia and Inigo Martinez go play instead, while Cubarsi go dey on di bench.
Meanwhile, Osasuna coach Vicente Moreno talk say dem get plan to upset Barcelona. “We sabi say we dey face wetin fit change any time, but we go prepare well for di game. Dem go give us chance to execute our plan at times, especially at home where dem dey do well,” he add.
Di last time wey Barcelona and Osasuna play na September 28, 2024, and Osasuna shock everybody as dem win 4-2, thereby ending Barcelona perfect start wey carry dem to seven consecutive wins under Flick.
As Barcelona dey face injury challenges, Lamine Yamal, di young Spanish talent, go need to carry di team on im shoulders. Dis season, he don impress, netting six goals across 24 La Liga games, and he even shine during di international break.
Barcelona need dis victory to consolidate dem place at di top, especially since Real Madrid dey hot on dia heels. If dem fit win today, dem go open three-point gap between dem and Real Madrid, and even give dem seven-point lead over Atletico Madrid.
Prediction for di match: Barcelona go win Osasuna 2-0, as dem set to pressure dem title rivals. Match kickoff na 9 p.m. CET, wey be 4 p.m. ET for di US.
