Saturday’s highly anticipated LaLiga clash between FC Barcelona and Club Atlético Osasuna at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was set to be a crucial fixture for the Blaugrana. Barcelona aimed to strengthen their position in the title race, hoping for favorable results from direct rivals like Real Madrid. However, the match was postponed following the tragic passing of a team staff member.
In an official statement, Barcelona confirmed the death of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia. The news sent shockwaves through the club, and out of respect for Miñarro and those affected, the decision was made to postpone the match.
The postponed LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Osasuna will still take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, although an official rescheduled date has yet to be announced.
Barcelona will closely monitor key fixtures involving their direct rivals, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid faces Rayo Vallecano, while Atlético squares off against Getafe. The standings remain tight, with Barcelona sitting second in LaLiga with 57 points, Atlético just one point behind with 56, and Real Madrid closely trailing with 54 points.
Emotional impact on Barcelona’s squad
The tragic passing of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro García has deeply affected the club. Given Miñarro’s vital role within the medical staff and his close relationship with the players, concerns remain about the emotional toll this loss may take on the team. His absence leaves a significant void in the Blaugrana’s support structure.
Projected starting XIs
Barcelona had initially planned to field a rotated squad in preparation for their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash. The expected lineup featured:
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
- Defenders: Jules Koundé (RB), Pau Cubarsí (CB), Eric García (CB), Martín (LB)
- Midfielders: Gavi, Casado, Dani Olmo
- Forwards: Raphinha (LW), Lamine Yamal (RW), Ferran Torres (CF)
Osasuna, aiming to secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League, had planned to deploy a defensive setup with five at the back:
- Goalkeeper: Sergio Herrera
- Defenders: Bretones (LB), Boyomo (CB), Herrando (CB), Catena (CB), Areso (RB)
- Midfielders: Muñoz, Moncayola
- Forwards: Zaragoza (LW), Rubén García (RW), Budimir (CF)
Busy schedule ahead for Barcelona
Barcelona faces a demanding fixture list that could define their soccer season. They are set to face Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday, March 11, followed by a critical LaLiga showdown against Atlético Madrid on Sunday, March 16. Just days later, they will compete in the Copa del Rey semifinals against Espanyol on Wednesday, March 19.
A challenging stretch lies ahead for Hansi Flick’s squad, with minimal recovery time between crucial matches across multiple competitions.