Predicted Barcelona lineup against Osasuna: Dest doubtful; Oscar Mingueza to make La Liga debut

Sergino Dest is a major doubt for the game while Oscar Mingueza is in line to make his La Liga debut when Barcelona face Osasuna at Camp Nou.

Barcelona will be aiming to move up the rungs in La Liga when they lock horns against CA Osasuna at Camp Nou on Matchday 11 this Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, the Catalans have been handed another injury blow as right-back Sergino Dest, who scored his first goal for the club in the midweek Champions League win against Dynamo Kyiv, is an injury doubt.

Confirming the same, manager Ronald Koeman said in his pre-match press conference (h/t Barca Universal), “Dest had some discomfort in his leg, but it is not a serious matter because he trained well today. If he is not well tomorrow, we will play someone else. We will not risk injuries.”

And while the USMNT international has been included in the 21-man squad for the game, it is unlikely that he will be featuring on Sunday. In his stead, academy product Oscar Mingueza, who made his senior debut for Barcelona in the midweek clash, could be set for his La Liga bow, albeit at right-back rather than his preferred centre-back slot.

Dropping a hint about the 21-year-old’s involvement in the game, Koeman said (h/t Barca Universal), “Mingueza has many chances to play tomorrow.” Mingueza ought to slot in at right-back while Jordi Alba, who was on the bench in midweek should be reinstated on the left. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will hold the fort in goal for Barcelona.

With Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti all out with injuries, Koeman’s options for the centre-back slot are thinly stretched. Clement Lenglet is a certainty to feature at the heart of the Barcelona defence against Osasuna, while Frenkie de Jong, who was rested in midweek, should return and slot in as a makeshift centre-back on Sunday.

There is some good news on the injury front, though, with veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets recovering from a knee problem and getting included in the squad. However, Koeman might opt to ease the seasoned campaigner back into action, meaning the two-man midfield axis of Miralem Pjanic and Carles Alena could remain intact against Osasuna.

Captain and talisman Lionel Messi is back in the squad after being rested for the Champions League clash against Dynamo Kyiv. And the Argentine international should walk right back into the starting XI, slotting in as the No. 10 and acting as Barcelona’s chief creator.

The Catalans’ skipper should have support from Ousmane Dembele, who is in line to replace Francisco Trincao on the right flank, and the fit-again Philippe Coutinho on the left. Ansu Fati remains out with an injury, while Pedri will be an option from the bench.

Martin Braithwaite enjoyed a fine game against Dynamo Kyiv earlier in the week. However, he is likely to make way for Antoine Griezmann, who also scored in the Champions League clash after coming on as a sub, at the top.

Barcelona Predicted XI: ter Stegen; Mingueza, Lenglet, de Jong, Alba; Pjanic, Alena; Dembele, Messi, Coutinho; Griezmann.