Osasuna plotting defensive masterplan to shut down Barcelona attackers | OneFootball

Osasuna are gearing up for a challenging encounter against Barcelona, and reports from AS suggest that head coach Vicente Moreno is considering a tactical switch to a five-man defence.

As they prepare to face the La Liga leaders on Saturday, the struggling side is looking for ways to strengthen their defensive setup and contain Barcelona’s high-powered attack.

Osasuna have been on a rough patch, failing to secure a victory in their last four outings. This poor run of form puts them in a difficult position ahead of a clash with the most in-form team in Spain.

In an effort to turn things around, Moreno has been working behind closed doors with his squad, making key tactical adjustments.

Observations from recent training sessions indicate that a defensive reshuffle could be on the cards, with an emphasis on reinforcing the backline.

Barcelona are on a scoring spree

Osasuna are planning a five-man defence against Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Barcelona, on the other hand, continue to dominate La Liga, sitting comfortably at the top of the table.

Their attacking prowess has been one of the defining factors of their campaign, with an impressive 71 goals scored in just 26 matches. This averages to a staggering 2.7 goals per game, making them the most lethal side in the league.

Despite Barcelona’s offensive dominance, Osasuna might find some encouragement in the fact that Robert Lewandowski has not been particularly prolific against them.

The Polish striker, who is Barcelona’s top scorer, has faced Osasuna on five occasions but has only managed to find the net once. Additionally, he received two yellow cards in a previous fixture, leading to a sending-off in November 2022.

With Osasuna desperate to turn their form around and Barcelona looking to extend their dominance, the upcoming clash promises to be an intriguing battle of tactics and resilience.

Whether the defensive strategy will help Osasuna contain Barcelona’s relentless attack remains to be seen.