Barcelona team news vs Osasuna: Neymar remains the only major absentee

Neymar remains the only major absentee from Luis Enrique’s squad, as Barcelona host Osasuna at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Barcelona play hosts to Osasuna at Camp Nou on Wednesday, when they will look to build on the spectacular last minute come-from-behind 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the El Clasico on Sunday.

That win took the Blaugrana back to the top of the La Liga table, even though Real Madrid have a game in hand. Ahead of the visit of Petar Vasiljevic’s men on Wednesday, here’s the all-important team news for Barcelona.

The report on that front is the same as it was over the weekend, as Luis Enrique does not have any new injury concerns to deal with. That means that the Barcelona boss continues to be without the services of three players from his first team squad due to fitness issues.

Aleix Vidal was the first of these players on the treatment table, sidelined for the remainder of the season with the ankle injury that he sustained two months ago. Brazilian midfielder Rafinha has also had his campaign end prematurely, after he picked up a knee injury against Granada earlier this month.

Centre-back Jeremy Mathieu is the third unavailable player, absent through an Achilles injury with no set date earmarked for his return to action. The only major absentee, though, for the Barcelona boss is Neymar, who is suspended.

The Brazilian picked up a three-match ban earlier this month for being sent off and subsequently protesting his dismissal. The visit of Osasuna represents the final of that suspension, before he returns to the first team fold against Catalunya rivals Espanyol on the weekend.

In Neymar’s absence, the much-maligned Paco Alcacer is set to retain his spot in the team, combining with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the front trio. The former Valencia forward has struggled for form this season, and will look to make a mark in the star Brazilian’s absence, in what could be his final start for a while.

With no new personnel availability issues to report, Enrique exclaimed that his side must use the result in the El Clasico as a stimulus to build on. He said: “It will serve as a stimulus going into the final stretch of the season.  We have to be consistent in the final stretch.”

Neymar remains the only major absentee from Luis Enrique’s squad, as Barcelona host Osasuna at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Barcelona play hosts to Osasuna at Camp Nou on Wednesday, when they will look to build on the spectacular last minute come-from-behind 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the El Clasico on Sunday.

That win took the Blaugrana back to the top of the La Liga table, even though Real Madrid have a game in hand. Ahead of the visit of Petar Vasiljevic’s men on Wednesday, here’s the all-important team news for Barcelona.

The report on that front is the same as it was over the weekend, as Luis Enrique does not have any new injury concerns to deal with. That means that the Barcelona boss continues to be without the services of three players from his first team squad due to fitness issues.

Aleix Vidal was the first of these players on the treatment table, sidelined for the remainder of the season with the ankle injury that he sustained two months ago. Brazilian midfielder Rafinha has also had his campaign end prematurely, after he picked up a knee injury against Granada earlier this month.

Centre-back Jeremy Mathieu is the third unavailable player, absent through an Achilles injury with no set date earmarked for his return to action. The only major absentee, though, for the Barcelona boss is Neymar, who is suspended.

The Brazilian picked up a three-match ban earlier this month for being sent off and subsequently protesting his dismissal. The visit of Osasuna represents the final of that suspension, before he returns to the first team fold against Catalunya rivals Espanyol on the weekend.

In Neymar’s absence, the much-maligned Paco Alcacer is set to retain his spot in the team, combining with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the front trio. The former Valencia forward has struggled for form this season, and will look to make a mark in the star Brazilian’s absence, in what could be his final start for a while.

With no new personnel availability issues to report, Enrique exclaimed that his side must use the result in the El Clasico as a stimulus to build on. He said: “It will serve as a stimulus going into the final stretch of the season.  We have to be consistent in the final stretch.”