Barça: Negreira Case & Leadership Strategy

This Saturday, Barcelona has a golden opportunity to put even more pressure on Real Madrid, but it will have to isolate itself from all the noise caused by this Friday’s statements regarding the ‘Negreira case’. The team led by Hansi Flick, leader with four points ahead of its eternal rival, faces Osasuna at the Camp Nou with the aim of continuing with the good dynamics of the last games and improving those aspects that are still a pending issue for the Catalans this season.

And Flick’s people have put all their strengths on the table, but at the same time they have uncovered some of the weaknesses that the project still has. Barça has achieved four consecutive comebacks, but that cannot and should not overshadow the fact that they have also started behind on the scoreboard four times in a row. That is an aspect that worries Flick and that he will try to begin to resolve against Osasuna to widen the gap in the lead with the eternal rival, something that at this point in the competition he considers anecdotal. «I’m not worried about Madrid. We are in December and there are many games to play. There are many things we can do better, we must have the right attitude,” declared the German in the preview.

That attitude will be vital to be able to continue with the good dynamic of results against Osasuna. Flick’s men arrive at the event after overcoming Alavés, Atlético, Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt and after stringing together six consecutive wins in the League. In this good streak the culés have improved in the intensity that was lacking at the beginning of the season, something that Flick considers fundamental. “What I have seen in recent weeks in training is incredible,” he said.

Barça has improved in attitude at the rate it has been recovering fundamental players. Against Osasuna the German coach will be able to count on all his players except for Ronald Araujo, Gavi and Dani Olmo. All the others will be there, including Ter Stegen to whom Flick has already clarified that “Joan García is number one2 and Frenkie de Jong, whose importance in the team has decreased since “he has to improve after being out.” The Dutchman, despite this, could have a chance in an eleven with many enigmas in which Eric García could have a rest, Fermín could start again in the midfield and Lamine Yamal, Ferran and Raphinha will be the offensive trident.

The worst visitor in the League

Opposite will be a team that has not stopped accumulating disappointments away from El Sadar. Osasuna is the worst visitor in the League and has barely scratched two points out of a possible 24 in its first eight trips. The Camp Nou does not seem like the ideal place to end this bad streak but, despite this, Alessio Lisci will travel with his team ready to make a splash. «All the teams have lost there but sooner or later the streaks are broken. We have to try and be convinced that we can do it,” clarified the Italian coach.

To do this, he will be able to count on all his troops with the exception of Iker Benito and Juan Cruz, both of whom are out due to injury. These absences will not condition Lisci’s approach, which will vary slightly to attack the spaces that Barça leaves behind the centre-backs, since “we have to play with that offside they throw.” Lisci will try with a team in a low block, with two hard-working pivots who will try to reduce spaces and with the arrivals of the second line, something key given that Budimir, their great star, does not stand out in transitions.

Probable lineups

Barcelona:

Osasuna: Herrera, Arguibide, Boyomo, Catena, Bretones, Moncayola, Torró, Aimar Oroz, Víctor Múñoz, Budimir and Rubén García.

Referee: Adrián Cordero (Cantabria Committee)

Stadium and time: Camp Nou 18:30 / Movistar LaLiga.