BORUSSIA DORTMUND STAR EMERGES AS KEY TARGET FOR HANSI FLICK
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has explicitly requested the signing of Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck. The German international is a top target to reinforce Barça's backline.
7-POINT GAP: RAPHINHA'S BRACE BREAKS OSASUNA FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN
Raphinha's late brace secured a crucial 2-0 win for Barcelona against Osasuna, extending their La Liga lead to seven points and achieving their first clean sheet in six games.
Raphinha's strike from the edge of the box after 70 minutes secured Barca's seventh straight league win.
Real Madrid, in second place, plays Alaves on Sunday, hoping to close the gap on the leaders to four points.
Barca wasn't at their best but still managed to win, also keeping their first clean sheet in six games.
They also secured their fifth straight victory at their newly reopened Camp Nou.
(The win) has a lot of merit. They were well-organised, and it was hard to find a way through. With patience and a lot of possession, we did it, Barca defender Gerard Martin told Movistar.
A clean sheet gives the team stability, and the goals always come.
Ferran Torres, who started instead of Robert Lewandowski after his hat trick against Real Betis, almost scored early on, but his shot from Lamine Yamal's cross went over the bar.
At the other end, Joan Garcia easily saved Ante Budimir's shot. Osasuna looked to attack Barca on the counter.
Yamal had a couple of shots saved in a frustrating first half for him and Barca.
Torres headed in Marcus Rashford's cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The Spain international's overhead kick went just wide, and Garcia made another good save to deny Budimir before halftime.
Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera saved a Rashford free kick early in the second half as Barca looked to continue their winning streak.
They struggled to break down Osasuna, but Raphinha received the ball on the edge of the box to fire a shot into the bottom right corner.
Osasuna's Jorge Herrando, who was sent off on his debut for the club at Camp Nou in 2023, had a goal disallowed after Alejandro Catena collided with Barca goalkeeper Garcia.
Soon after, Raphinha scored at the far post after Alejandro Catena deflected Jules Kounde's cross into his path with four minutes left.
Raphinha, who started in a central attacking midfield role, was one of the team's top players last season as they won a domestic treble and has impressed since returning from injury.
We've got a lot of good players, and Rapha, or anyone else who plays inside, gives us a lot of options in that position, Martin added.
FRENKIE DE JONG RETURNS? THE KEY MIDFIELD DECISION HANSI FLICK FACES AHEAD OF OSASUNA
FC Barcelona is winning, but is the midfield complete? We analyse why Hansi Flick must start Frenkie de Jong tonight against Osasuna to strengthen the team.
Later today, FC Barcelona plays CA Osasuna in La Liga at Camp Nou. They've been doing great in their last five league games, and they'll want to keep that winning streak going.
Everyone's wondering which players Flick will pick for this important game. He's been trying out new things lately, so we'll see if he sticks with that.
At Sempre Barca, we think Flick should start Frenkie de Jong against Osasuna. It's time he got back in the starting lineup.
Frenkie last started against Chelsea, then missed two games because he was sick. He was ready for the next two games, against Real Betis and Eintracht Frankfurt, but Flick chose to start Eric Garcia as the No. 6 instead.
Flick suggested that this was his choice, not because Frenkie wasn't fit to play. Still, the Dutchman, who's worth €45 million, is a key player and should be back in the lineup against Osasuna.
Eric has been playing well as the No. 6 lately. If Flick goes with a 4-3-3 when they don't have the ball, Frenkie could play next to him in midfield. That would make Barcelona really strong in the middle.
There's no question about what Frenkie brings to the team or if he fits in this setup. It's just a matter of when he'll be back in the starting XI, and we're hoping it's tonight against Osasuna.