PREVIEW | Osasuna v Barça: Premiere in Pamplona
Time to get the ball rolling. It's game day, as the kick off time for Osasuna v Barça grows ever closer. With the transfer window now closed and the new signings already called up to the squad, Barça visit El Sadar stadium for the fourth matchday league fixture (kickoff 9pm CEST), where they will be premiering the new third kit.
After the great comeback victory away to Villarreal at the Cerámica stadium (3-4), the blaugranas will be aiming to keep the momentum going against an Osasuna side with a point to prove after not making it through to the Conference League group stage.
The light aqua kit to continue navigating towards victory
The blaugranas will take to the field at El Sadar stadium wearing their third strip. The jersey stands out for its light aqua colour, which evokes inspiration and creativity, highlights what Barça represent, the history, the playing style, and the young La Masia-formed talents who are a source of inspiration for all.
Precisely one of those young blaugrana talents proved a fulcrum in Barça's last win, namely Lamine Yamal. The forward had a very decisive role in the second league win of the season in a row since the opening matchday draw against Getafe. Xavi and squad will be looking to maintain the winning run going into the international break.
An opponent with a point to prove
Barça's opponents come to the clash with a desire to get back on track after the Conference League elimination by Club Bruges. The side from Pamplona lost the first leg at El Sadar (1-2), with all to play for in the return leg in Belgium, but a draw saw them drop out of this year's European competition.
Osasuna have two wins and one defeat in the league to date. They won the first game away to Celta Vigo (2-0), lost the second at home to Athletic Club (0-2), before again winning away against Valencia (1-2), Nacho Vidal scoring the winner in the 95th minute.
Coach Jagoba Arrasate and the Osasuna squad will be clearly looking get back to winning ways at 9pm CEST on Sunday.
Past meetings
Osasuna are always a tricky opponent, but previous meetings between the sides have ended up positively for the blaugranas. Barça have won 48 of the 82 games played, with 18 ending in draws and 16 wins for Osasuna.
Since the 3-2 loss in February 2012 with Pep Guardiola and José Luis Mendilibar in charge, Barça haven't been beaten at El Sadar (3 draws and 4 wins).
Last season saw two wins for Barça in the league, firstly as the away side (1-2), Pedri and Raphinha redressing the balance after conceding an early goal in the 5th minute. The home match was again a tight affair, Jordi Alba scoring the only goal of the game in the 85th minute to remain on course for the league title.
New faces in the squad
New to the squad for this match are the two new Barça players who joined on deadline day - João Félix and João Cancelo. Iñigo Martínez is the other new face and let's not forget that both Xavi and Raphinha are both back after sitting out two games due to suspension.
Here is the 22 man squad in full - Ter Stegen, João Cancelo, Balde, I. Martínez, Gavi, Ferran, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Iñaki Peña, João Félix, Christensen, Marcos A., Romeu, S. Roberto, F. De Jong, Gündoğan, Kounde, Lamine Yamal, M. Casadó, Kochen, Fermín and Cubarsí.