Barcelona will host Osasuna in a postponed LaLiga match at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Friday (28/3) midnight IST. This match was previously postponed following the death of Barcelona team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia.
LaLiga has set Barcelona’s clash with Osasuna to take place on Friday (28/3). Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed his disappointment with the timing of the postponed match.
Flick said many Barcelona players who play for their respective national teams have not recovered in time for the match against Osasuna.
According to the German coach, players from Spain, France and the Netherlands need more time to recover. It is noted that 13 Barcelona players are on duty to defend their respective national teams during the international break.
Spain have called up Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. The Netherlands have Frenkie de Jong, France have Jules Kounde and Poland have Robert Lewandowski. Fermin Lopez, Pablo Torre and Gerard Martin are with the Spain U-21 team.
“The players have played with their national teams, and that was bad. Now we have to play against Osasuna,” Flick was quoted as saying by Reuters.
“We have to talk about whether this is the right time. I’m not happy. There are other leagues that do it differently.”
“I can’t change it. That’s my personal opinion. We’re going to play, we’re not looking for excuses. The team is ready and we have to work hard to achieve the best performance.”
“The quality of the team is good and we can beat anyone even if the players don’t get optimal rest.”
Without Raphinha and Ronald Araujo
For the match against Osasuna, Barcelona will certainly be without Raphinha and Ronald Araujo. Both have to go on long journeys after strengthening the national teams of Brazil and Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the CONCACAF zone.
“They will not play or be in the team. They are absent. The flight is long and it is not the most optimal situation,” Flick said.
“They have to recover and train. But this team is fantastic, and we have to fight for the three points. When we win and get three more points, that will be the best reaction we can give.”
Barcelona currently sit atop La Liga with 60 points from 27 games. Barcelona are level on points with second-placed Real Madrid with a game in hand.
Barcelona face a busy schedule over the next 20 days, with seven games in LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
“I have spoken with the entire staff and the physios. We have discussed what we can do to help the players recover better,” said Flick.
