The same style as always

Roger Bogunyà

After two draws in a row, FC Barcelona entertain Osasuna tonight (20.00, Gol T, Canal + Liga and R@dio Barça) after Guardiola made his message clear. Whatever happens, Barça will stick to their usual style – attacking football.

Neither of the adverse results against Real Sociedad and AC Milan are reason for FCB to revise their methods. As always after any setbacks, Guardiola is sticking to his guns, and shunned suggestions from the media on Friday that there are any flaws in his plan. Ultimately it might be results that matter, but FC Barcelona have still played some wonderful football in their last two games, even though they both ended in draws. So, Barça won’t be changing their attacking style, and the manager is confident that sooner or later, they will be back to their winning ways.

Three key absentees

The first chance to do just that comes on Saturday evening at home to Osasuna, one of the teams that caused the greatest difficulties for the Catalans last season. Barça didn’t have the best of days, but managed to scrape a 2-0 win. The challenge today is to start converting the excellent football displayed of late into wins, but Barça will have to do that without three important players, Piqué, Iniesta and Alexis, who are all injured.

Change of team

Guardiola has only 18 first team players to choose from, so he will have to have a rethink, and that could mean the first start for Carles Puyol for several months. The manager will also need to find a replacement for Iniesta in midfield, which means he might opt for the same group of players that impressed so much in the first half in San Sebastian. Iniesta started that match on the bench, but two other midfielders, Xavi and Cesc, scored FC Barcelona’s two goals.

Osasuna unbeaten

Like Barça, Osasuna have taken four points from their first two league outings, and also have injury problems to deal with. Goalkeeper Riesgo, plus Sergio, Echaide, Nekounam and Masoud are all unfit. The side from Pamplona started their campaign with a draw at the Vicente Calderón (0-0) and then beat Sporting (2-1) last week.

Sursa : http://www.fcbarcelona.com