FC Barcelona faces a crucial road trip to the Carlos tartiere stadium this Thursday,aiming to maintain thier pursuit of the league leader. This comes on the heels of Real Madrid’s victory over Levante on Tuesday,intensifying the pressure on the Catalan giants. Standing in their way is Real Oviedo, a team whose return to the top flight has been less than stellar, marked by four losses and a single win so far.
Real Oviedo vs.Barcelona: A League Showdown
hansi Flick’s squad is navigating a challenging stretch of the season, with significant squad rotation expected. Following the international commitments of key players like lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski at the recent Ballon d’Or gala in Paris, the team might see some players rested.Pedri, despite being a nominee for the prestigious award, remained in Barcelona and continues to be a vital presence in the midfield.
The team is also grappling with notable injuries. Gavi is confirmed to undergo surgery and faces a lengthy layoff of four to five months, a significant blow both physically and mentally after his recent injury.Fermín López, who had been enjoying a breakout season with extraordinary performances and goals, was injured in the closing stages of Sunday’s 3-0 victory against Getafe. On a more positive note,Alejandro Balde has returned to training,providing a much-needed boost to the left flank.
Barcelona returns to an Ovetense stronghold after a 25-year absence, a venue that proved challenging for them in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Historically, Oviedo has shown an ability to surprise Barcelona, notably securing a victory at the old Camp Nou during their last encounter on matchday 36 of the 2000/2001 league season. This past success offers a glimmer of hope for the newly promoted Real Oviedo, managed by Veljko Paunovic, who are looking to rebound from a challenging start to the season, despite showing signs of resilience within the squad.
Key Absences:
- Real Oviedo: Fede Viñas (suspension), Nacho Vidal, Costas, and Ovie Ejaria (injury).
- FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Balde, Gavi, fermín, and Lamine Yamal.
