Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Osasuna | Spanish Super Cup

The Supercopa de Espana was where Barcelona’s season turned around last campaign. Xavi’s men were indeed more tightly invested in the league title race at the halfway stage last year, but the win over Real Madrid in the final boosted the morale in the dressing room to no end.

The months that followed saw Barcelona grind out wins of all kinds. Their results were not beautiful, but they were consistent and gritty and all boasted a certain element of confidence.

That push is exactly what Xavi’s men require at this point in time. The Blaugranas are far from their best, both physically and mentally. Their recent performances, however, have shown glimpses of a resurgence.

Facing Osasuna in the semi-final in Saudi Arabia will be anything but simple. Yet, one can comfortably say that the Catalans have the easier route to the final of the competition that boasts the quickest route to a title.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Osasuna.

One step at a time

At this point in the season, Barcelona’s season is balanced on a knife’s edge. The Blaugranas have been grinding out wins from difficult situations with regularity, but most of their games leave the feeling that the result was undeserved.

Falling victim to their own high standards, it is safe to say that the same takes a toll on the players in the dressing room. The cloud of negativity Xavi talked about last month still looms large over the squad, and they are far from their best version.

It is thus critical that they use the Spanish Super Cup to propel their confidence and their season forward in the right direction. Like last season, it could serve as the catalyst that drives the team towards greater success.

As has been the case in recent years, the race to the Spanish Super Cup is slated across two levels. The second semi-final, which will be played tomorrow, sees Barcelona lock horns against Osasuna. Win it, and they will face one of the two Madrid-based giants in the final.

It thus becomes critical for Barcelona to treat the competition’s games one at a time. Looking at the grander scheme and eyeing silverware from the get-go will only increase the pressure on the Catalans’ shoulders.

Eyes on the defence

From one of Europe’s most formidable units, Barcelona’s defence has seen a serious downfall this season. Xavi’s men have been atrocious at the back from the beginning of the campaign, and several factors have contributed to the same.

For starters, the centre-backs have seen a considerable drop in form at an individual level. Ronald Araujo has regularly made rookie errors that are uncharacteristic of him, while Jules Kounde has been a shadow of his former self in recent months.

Surprisingly, even the ever-consistent Andreas Christensen has shown a drop in quality.

The downfall, however, is not linked with deficits down the centre. Joao Cancelo has excelled in attack but understandably leaves spaces behind him that Xavi has yet to figure out a solution for. Alejandro Balde, down the other flank, has also been largely uninspiring.

Staring a knockout competition in the eye, the defence must be Barcelona and Xavi’s priority. Cancelo’s injury leaves the manager with a big question over the dynamics on the night and gives him a chance to re-test last season’s B.A.C.K combination once again.

The need for a clinical finisher

The objective in any game of football is simple – to score more goals than the opposition. There are thus just two elements to a win – to score more and concede less.

Barcelona’s defence must indeed step up in Saudi Arabia if the Azulgranas are to get near the title. Concurrently, the spotlight will also shine on the attacking trio and the centre-forward in particular.

After all, finishing has been the defending champions’ Achilles heel all season. Robert Lewandowski has struggled not only in front of goal but also in his movements off the ball and the team have had to pay a costly price for the same.

Xavi’s first dilemma on the night, thus, will be to choose between Lewandowski and Vitor Roque. With the Brazilian not giving the manager a strong case to start yet, the Polish international is the favourite to feature from kickoff.

The subsequent crossroad the manager will find himself at is surrounding the player flanking the centre-forward. Raphinha has done enough this season to warrant a start but should Ferran Torres, Joao Felix or Lamine Yamal have claim over the third place? Only time will tell.