Barcelona @ Osasuna: “Banana peels, everywhere!”

By: Joan | October 30th, 2009

And so begins the Tourmalet. Barcelona dispelled rumors (or catcalls) of “Crisis!” last weekend against Zaragoza with a thumping performance, as if a transcendent hand had offered a palm of fortune from the baby blue skies. That’s not to say that Barcelona were fortunate or lucky to win. They were, however, fortunate to see Zaragoza approach the game with a returning-to-la-primera naivety, leaving the game’s initiative up for grabs from the first minute onwards.

Osasuna, under José Antonio Camacho, have been resolute in their approach to defending. Few sides have come away from the Reyno de Navarra with much – only Sevilla have snagged themselves all three points – and fewer will be as highly prepared for as Barcelona, who are concerned at the growing members of The Coalition for Anxious Clubs Prepared to Defend Vigorously, if vigorously were to be redefined as ruthlessly abrasive.

I bet you’re looking forward to it now.

“GOD, NOBODY DIGS TEAM NEWS.”

You’ll dig this team news, though. Barcelona may welcome the Anaconda back into the fold as Thierry Henry returns to the squad. Joyous times, kind of, as the Frenchman was largely uninspired in his performances pre-injury. It does give Guardiola another figure in his teams – something Josep will doubtlessly revel in.

HALLELUJAH!: Bar the ever-aggrieved Gabriel Milito, Guardiola has a complete selection to choose from. It’s not often that we get to type that here, or anywhere for that matter. I’d like the readers of this blog to collectively close their eyes, breathe in with a purposefully patient manner, and knock on wood. If successful, we’ll probably produce enough of a sound-wave to re-injure somebody. So… you probably shouldn’t do it.

Juanfran said of this fixture: “Motivation is very great. For the great players they [Barcelona] have and the way they play the team are looking forward to it. We want to produce a shock, take the points and move up the table. There is that possibility, and we will fight for it… Tomorrow we have to push, work and attack down the flanks. We must look at ourselves because if we are at a good level and Barca are not happy on the pitch, we can win perfectly. This will be the key, that Barca do not feel welcome in the game.”"

XI: Valdes; Puyol, Pique, Marquez, Abidal; Iniesta, Xavi, Touré; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Pedro

Osasuna also face no injury concerns going into this fixture. God, this is uneventful enough to convince me that it will have to be a match where Barcelona conspires to throw away points.

Guardiola spoke of Camacho’s side for fcbarcelona.com: ”Pandiani is a natural goalscorer; Camuñas and Juanfran are two very good wingers in the one on one, and they’ll try to make the most of set pieces like corners and throw-ins. They are a very aggressive team in the good sense of the word, and will put us under pressure from the first minute and force us to work very hard.” Well, Camacho, it seems Guardiola knows your plan! You should change it.

XI: Ricardo; Monreal, Josetxo, Miguel Flano, Azpilicueta; Camunas, Nekounam, Punal, Juanfran; Aranda, Pandiani.

“ESSENTIALLY INSIGNIFICANT RECENT RESULTS”

OSASUNA
October 28: Xerez 1-2 Osasuna (Copa del Rey)
October 25: Racing Santander 1-1 Osasuna (LIGA BBVA)
October 18: Osasuna 3-0 Atletico Madrid (LIGA BBVA)
October 4: Getafe 2-1 Osasuna (LIGA BBVA)
September 27: Osasuna 1-0 Sporting Gijon (LIGA BBVA)

BARCELONA
October 28: Cultural Leonesa 0-2 Barcelona (Copa del Rey)
October 25: Barcelona 6-1 Real Zaragoza (LIGA BBVA)
October 20: Barcelona 1-2 Rubin Kazan (UEFA Champions League)
October 17: Valencia 0-0 Barcelona (LIGA BBVA)
October 3: Barcelona 1-0 Almeria (LIGA BBVA)

“QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS”

1. There is only eleven to choose from a Donkey Kong barrel’s worth of players. Does Guardiola continue with Keita in midfield and Iniesta in the left-forward position, or does he relegate one of the two to the bench for a breather, with Pedro “I can’t help scoring!” Rodriguez being rewarded with a league start? After all, Keita played a hefty game in midweek too…

2. Osasuna’s president, Patxi Izco, says of Barcelona: “When they are on song there is no team that can stop them. They play at an incredible pace that flummoxes their opponents because they can never get the ball.” Looking past a rare incidence of the word “flummox” being used in a football-related soundbite, will Osasuna stay wary of a gearing Barcelona and pack the trenches with defensive inclination?

3. Will Pandiani score? Or will he trip, snag his ankle and be substituted? (I should probably add a disclaimer stating that I don’t believe in wishing injury on opposition players. Only those that have previously played for Espanyol.)

Get at ‘em.