Osasuna failed to keep their two-goal lead intact against Club Brugge on Thursday, drawing 2-2 with the Belgians and crashing out of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs 4-3 on aggregate. Manager Jagoba Arrasate said it was “normal to feel hurt” after the defeat, but also saw the tie as “a step in the right direction to build and improve” despite the disappointing outcome. As the focus shifts to La Liga (LL) matters with defending champions Barcelona coming to Pamplona, the hosts must quickly regroup and avoid a fourth straight H2H defeat in the competition for the first time since September 2011.
Los Rojillos have lost both competitive games at El Sadar this season, and another defeat here would mark the first time since 2013/14 that they have started a top-flight campaign with back-to-back home losses – ominously, a season in which they were relegated.
In a game where momentum swung back and forth, Barcelona edged out Villarreal 4-3 last weekend to remain two points behind table-topping arch-rivals Real Madrid after three LL matches. Teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal once again flew out of the blocks and created history as the youngest player to assist a LL goal this century, setting up Gavi at the age of just 16 years and 45 days. Fellow youngster Férmin López also came off the bench, with manager Xavi emphasising the importance of the academy after the dramatic contest amidst a backdrop of financial constraints at the club.
Having won 2-1 at Osasuna last season, Barça are targeting consecutive away league H2H victories for the first time since March 2005. A win would see them go into the international break on a high, but a mixed bag of results across their last seven games on the road (W2, D2, L3) suggests that picking up three points on Sunday isn’t a foregone conclusion.
Players to watch: Osasuna’s Ante Budimir registered a goal and an assist in his last two matches as he looks to win for the first time against Barcelona (D1, L6). Ferran Torres also contributed significantly in his last two games (G2), but contrastingly, he has won his last four LL H2Hs, netting twice in those encounters.
Hot stat: Eight of the last nine LL H2Hs have seen the match opener arrive at or before the 30th minute.
