FC Barcelona-Osasuna: Things always happen in Saudi Arabia

Xavi’s He became the protagonist of the other three super cups played in Arabia.He wants to be him again, reaffirming the title, even if only indirectly. He knows there’s always something going on here. These happened in 2020, when Barça lost in the semi-finals after a magnificent match against Atlético de Madrid in Jeddah. Upon arriving at Barcelona, ​​Josep Maria Bartomeu defeated Ernesto Valverde and a team formed by Éric Abidal, then technical secretary, and Óscar Grau, the club’s CEO, went to Doha to convince Xavi that Egarense had taken charge of the team. gone. The one from Terrassa believed that it was not his time and rejected the offer.

Two years later, in 2022, he went to Riyadh as Barça coach. After replacing Ronald Koeman for a short time in charge, the team started to rise in the League and was reinforced in the winter market. Blaugranas faced Real Madrid and lost in extra time.. Barça had gone through such a bad time in the previous months that this defeat was almost celebrated as a victory, with president Joan Laporta going to the dressing room and congratulating Xavi and the players. Barça were competing again and could compete with the big boys.

This prophecy came true. Just one year later the team Xavi was declared the champion of the Super Cup and was far superior to him. real Madrid Riyadh final. The club then announced the start of a new era. This prediction seemed likely to come true as the Catalans won the league with a huge lead a few months later, but this project, which seemed to have reached cruising speed, came to an abrupt halt this season. Madrid journalists even sarcastically ask Carlo Ancelotti about Barça’s new season announcement.

Nothing will be saved

Xavi knows things happen in the Super Cup. Good and bad. And he wants this print to be good again. Like last year. Winning the championship will bring peace to the club that does not exist today. Relegation against Osasuna this Thursday could put them in a difficult situation. The crisis is more than dangerous. The Navarrese team represents the first obstacle on Xavi’s path to his third title as Barca coach. Therefore, nothing will be saved in the match against the ‘rojillos’.

Like this, I cancel and pedri They went to Riyadh without medical permission. The players will not be forced in any case and will most likely only play in a hypothetical final, but it is not ruled out that some of them could get a minute if necessary against an Osasuna who are playing this competition as a reward. He has been a finalist in the Copa del Rey in the past, but he is not having the best moment of the game either. He has worked hard so far this year to beat last-place Almería and eliminate Castellón in the Cup, but has only won one of his last eight league games in 2023. Chimy Ávila, one of the most dangerous attackers.

On Barbastro’s side, in addition to the long-term injuries of Gavi, Ter Stegen and Marcos Alonso, Barbastro also added Iñigo Martínez, Xavi’s trusted centre-back. While Cancelo and Pedri await medical discharge in Riyadh, the man from Terrassa will bet on: The defense gave very good results with three defenders Having been there last season, Joao Félix has to decide whether to continue with Ferran Torres after another poor game in the Cup or give the possessions he lost at Las Palmas back to the Portuguese. Moreover, it is logical that captain Sergi Roberto, after his good performance in the last matches, will continue to seek a place in the final, which is mandatory to avoid a crisis in the 11th round.

Possible squads

barça: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Sergi Roberto, Gündoğan; Raphinha, Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.

osasun: Sergio Herrera; Areso, Catena, David García, Rubén Peña; Moncayola, Iker Muñoz, Moi Gómez, Aimar Oroz: Arnáiz and Budimir.