FC Barcelona are gearing up for a crucial La Liga clash against CA Osasuna at El Sadar tomorrow, with the team eyeing a victory that would bring them closer to the title. But all eyes are already on next weekend's blockbuster El Clasico against Real Madrid, and three key players are walking a disciplinary tightrope.
There's good news on the injury front: Raphinha and Marc Bernal have returned to full group training and are expected to get the medical green light for the trip to Pamplona. However, that's where the optimism meets a word of caution. Both players, along with captain Frenkie de Jong, are currently sitting on four yellow cards each in La Liga this season.
One more booking against Osasuna would trigger an automatic one-match suspension, meaning they'd be forced to sit out the highly anticipated El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou. For a team chasing the title, losing any of these stars for the biggest game of the season would be a significant blow.
Hansi Flick has confirmed that both Raphinha and Bernal will travel with the squad, though they may only see action in the second half depending on the flow of the game. De Jong, meanwhile, could be in line for his first start since returning from injury—adding another layer of intrigue to the selection puzzle.
With the Clasico looming large, every tackle and challenge at El Sadar will carry extra weight. Barcelona's stars will need to balance aggression with discipline if they want to ensure they're available for the showdown that could define their season.
