Flick Set to Unleash Yamal Magic Again as Barcelona Face Osasuna Test
Barcelona's season began with difficulties, but after appearing to find their rhythm, Hansi Flick's team welcomes Osasuna on Saturday evening seeking their seventh straight La Liga victory.
The defending champions have overcome adversity following a crushing El Clásico loss in late October. Since then, Barcelona have maintained a flawless record, capitalizing on Real Madrid's recent struggles to enter the weekend with a four-point lead in the championship race.
Injuries have hampered Barcelona throughout the 2025–26 campaign, and while the situation has recently improved, several concerns remain. Dani Olmo will be sidelined until 2026, and with Fermín López only just returning to action, questions persist about the attacking midfield position.
Nevertheless, a home fixture against a subdued Osasuna squad should enable Barcelona to sustain their upward trajectory. Here's how Flick might arrange his team on Saturday evening to preserve their unblemished home record since Camp Nou's reopening.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Osasuna (4-2-3-1)
GK: Joan García—Barcelona's primary goalkeeper will be determined to claim his fifth La Liga clean sheet of the season.
RB: Jules Koundé—The star of Barcelona's midweek Champions League triumph will aim to capitalize on that display to recapture his outstanding 2024–25 form.
CB: Pau Cubarsí—The young defender has faced his share of challenges this campaign, but Flick maintains faith in his capacity to anchor Barça's backline. His ball-playing skills make him an automatic selection.
CB: Gerard Martín—From reserve left-back to starting center-back, Martín has experienced a remarkable transformation over recent weeks. He's been outstanding since the positional change, appearing completely comfortable in the defensive core.
LB: Alejandro Balde—Balde has consistently delivered impressive displays in recent matches, particularly following Raphinha's injury recovery. The Spanish defender dominates Barcelona's left side.
CM: Eric García—Few players have earned Flick's confidence more than the adaptable García. Notably, Frenkie de Jong might be growing concerned about his starting position.
CM: Pedri—The conductor of Flick's system will assume his customary midfield role. Words are becoming inadequate to capture Pedri's exceptional standard over the past twelve months.
AM: Lamine Yamal—Yamal operated in a more central position for the first time in his career against Betis. Greater involvement in build-up play highlighted his underappreciated distribution abilities, directing Barcelona's offensive play. Should Flick persist with this central deployment and Yamal excel, the Lionel Messi parallels may grow stronger.
RW: Roony Bardghji—Bardghji delivered a standout performance against Real Betis last weekend, providing an assist and netting his inaugural goal in Barcelona colors.
ST: Ferran Torres—Only Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé have found the net more frequently than Torres across Europe's premier leagues this season.
LW: Raphinha—The Brazilian produced a quiet performance midweek but continues regaining match sharpness after an extended injury layoff.
