Barça will face the last hurdle tonight before the World Cup break. In front, an Osasuna that, with Jagoba Arrasate in front, has started the championship again very well. In fact, they haven't lost at home yet. Here my 5 tactical keys for this match:
The clash is not only a complicated trip, but it will also be the last effort before the World Cup break. For this reason and because of the situation in the championship there are non-negotiable aspects for such a demanding start. On the other hand, today there will be no room for rotations, an aspect that will clearly reveal Xavi's current preferences. With Lewandowski and Dembélé fixed up, both Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres have options for the type of match. What does seem very likely is the return of Marcos Alonso to the left side and the Eric-Koundé couple to the central axis. It is important to have players who, among other virtues, are good in the air and in duels.
One of the most identifying hallmarks of Osasuna de Jagoba Arrasate is pressure. Even more so in El Sadar, where he is used to jamming his rivals. In fact, after Barça and Athletic, it is the team in the League that spends the most time in a rival field. And the explanation is the great high pressure of the Navarrese. A pressure that they coordinate from the opponent's pass to the band. Precisely for this reason, it will be vital for Barça to have mechanisms, passing lines and clarity to be able to get out of pressure and not get stuck in their field. Today you have to give football help to the full-backs and they have to be fast and fine in their passes.
Osasuna is one of those teams that places the defensive line at the top. So it will be key for Barça to work well on depth. And for this it will be necessary for the last line to constantly offer break unchecks. It will be important that they do them just at the right time and in the right direction so as not to go offside. Lewandowski is a true master in this type of maneuvers so it will be vital that his teammates look for him. It is also important that the passers make the pass according to the unmarking so that the receiver does not go offside.
With an average of 23 per game, Osasuna is the fifth team that focuses the most at home in the League. And while it is true that Barça's defensive records in the league are very good, it is also true that the team has suffered in the center actions against them. The game against Viktoria Plzen proves it. And so that the Barça defense can defend them better, it will be essential that each defense covers the back of the one in front of them. In this way, free shots in favorable areas for the rival are avoided. The only potential shooter in the free zone is the one left at the far post.
A lot of attention to Chimy Ávila. A fast, super dynamic and very incisive striker who is in a great scoring moment. He comes from a brace in the Navarre victory against Celta and has already accumulated six goals in the League. He has a magnificent first shot. He can not be alone for a second in the vicinity of the area. On the other hand, Moi Gómez is also a piece to take into account. The former Villarreal player has an ideal type of game for what Jagoba Arrasate is looking for, since he is a footballer of great quality in the center and a very good shot. With an average of 1.6 and 2.2 respectively per game, he is Osasuna's center player and key passer. A lot of attention to these two players.
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