Barcelona vs. Osasuna lineups, predicted starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries: Barca without returning internationals

Barcelona will be without a number of key players returning from international duty as they contest a rearranged fixture against Osasuna on Thurssday.

The original match was called off minutes before kickoff in early March after the unexpected death of their team doctor that evening.

As a result, there will be a number of players who are unlikely to take the field for Barcelona as they return from long trips over the international break.

Holding a slim lead atop the La Liga table, the Catalans will also have one eye on their UEFA Champions League journey. Any slip in league play could be the difference in winning the title or falling short, so they can’t let up even as big European matches loom on the horizon.

The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.

MORE: All the latest soccer news | Barcelona news

Barcelona vs. Osasuna lineups, expected starting 11, team newsBarcelona will likely be without a number of key internationals. Hansi Flick has already ruled out Raphinha and Ronald Araujo, who were competing overseas in South American qualifying and played matches on Tuesday night.

Depending on their condition after returning from UEFA Nations League games, European internationals like Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal could also miss out. Flick said on Wednesday that Pau Cubarsi would be on the bench, with Inigo Martinez and Eric Garcia starting in defence.

Defender Andreas Christensen has suffered yet another injury, tweaking a muscle in his right leg during training earlier this month, but he could be back in training shortly. Otherwise, only long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are unavailable for selection.

Barcelona predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Garcia, Martinez, Balde — Casado, Gavi — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, F. Lopez — F. Torres

Injured: Christensen (muscle), Ter Stegen (ACL), Bernal (ACL)
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Raphinha, Araujo (returning from international duty)

MORE: All the latest Barcelona news | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list | Latest Champions League top goal scorer list

Osasuna’s lineup for the rearranged fixture featured a five-man back line, adding defender Jorge Herrando in and withdrawing attacking midfielder Enrique Barja. Vicente Moreno could turn to this again, although with less secrecy this time around.

They have Aimar Oroz back after missing a few weeks with a hamstring injury, and he could be in line to start after the international break. Right-back warrior Jesus Areso is also available while managing a nagging knee injury.

Osasuna predicted starting lineup (5-4-1, right to left): Herrera (GK) — Areso, Herrando, Boyomo, Catena, Bretones — R. Garcia, Moncayola, Oroz, Zaragoza — Budimir

Injured: None
Suspended: None

Barcelona vs. Osasuna live stream, TV channelHere’s how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:

 TV channelStreamingUSA —ESPN+Canada —TSN+UKPremier Sports 1LaLigaTVAustraliabeIN Sports 3beIN Sports ConnectIndia —GXR World

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