Can Barcelona Handle Osasuna Without Defensive Leaders?

Barcelona faces a defensive conundrum as injuries pile up ahead of their Osasuna showdown

As a long-time follower of Barcelona, I’ve seen my fair share of challenges, but the current injury crisis feels like a cruel twist of fate. With the crucial match against Osasuna looming on March 27, the Blaugrana’s defensive backbone is looking alarmingly fragile. Pau Cubarsí, the young and promising center-back, suffered an apparent ankle sprain during the Nations League quarterfinal against the Netherlands. As he limped off the pitch, accompanied by medical staff, the gravity of his absence for the upcoming La Liga clash became painfully clear.

To make matters worse, this isn’t an isolated incident. Íñigo Martínez, a seasoned defender, is already sidelined with internal parameniscitis in his right knee. Add to that the potential absences of Ronald Araújo and Raphinha, who are racing against time to regain fitness, and the defensive gaps grow even wider. The timing couldn’t be worse, especially as Barcelona is also juggling preparations for their Champions League encounter with Benfica shortly after the Osasuna fixture.

Midfield woes compound the issue. Marc Casadó, who had been a reliable presence in the middle of the park, sustained a partial lateral ligament tear during a recent match against Atlético. His injury leaves a gaping hole not only in the midfield but also in Barcelona’s ability to shield their already vulnerable backline. With Gerard Martín, Fermín, and Pablo Torre tied up with Spain’s U-21 squad and Héctor Fort away with the U-19s, the squad depth is being tested to its limits.

Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, now faces the unenviable task of reassembling a patchwork defense. The original lineup intended for the postponed Osasuna match has been utterly dismantled by these injuries. Losing Cubarsí and Casadó in quick succession feels like a double-edged sword, cutting into both defensive stability and midfield creativity. For Flick, this could mean calling on less experienced players or improvising with out-of-position veterans—neither of which inspires confidence against a solid Osasuna side.

Osasuna, on the other hand, will see this as a golden opportunity. They’re no strangers to exploiting defensive frailties, and Barcelona’s current predicament will surely embolden their attacking ambitions. If Araújo or Raphinha can’t recover in time, Osasuna’s forwards might find themselves facing an uncharacteristically shaky Barcelona defense. The stakes are high, and the match could serve as a litmus test for Flick’s adaptability and tactical ingenuity under pressure.

As a fan and a journalist who’s followed this club for decades, I can’t help but feel a mix of concern and curiosity. Barcelona’s depth has been questioned before, but rarely has it been pushed to this extent. The coming days will reveal whether Flick can rally his squad, plug the gaps, and deliver a performance that keeps Barcelona’s La Liga aspirations alive. One thing is certain: the match against Osasuna will be anything but predictable.

References:
Otro contratiempo para Flick ante Osasuna