The champion is all shaken up. Barcelona are in a knockdown after the weekend defeat by Villarreal (3-5) at Montjuic. Girona and Real Madrid have a double-digit advantage, so the title defense is probably an impossible mission. Xavi Hernandez’s dynasty project has fallen apart. The young expert announced his departure in the summer, and in the previous weeks, many coaching names were linked to the Nou Camp giant.Barça failed to win the Spanish Super Cup, they were eliminated from Copa del Rey by Athletic Bilbao, in the championship they are far from defending the crown, so there is only a chance for a trophy in the Champions League, although Barça are not one of the five or six favorites to win the Ol’ Big Ears.Osasuna are coming to Monjuic (Nou Camp is being renovated) tonight (9 PM EAT) in the postponed match of the 20th round of Primera Division. This season, the problem is the defense of the Catalans, which concedes a large number of goals. There is also problems up front as Robert Lewandowski is out of form – he has been goal-fasting for five rounds now.The legendary napkin is ‘up for grabs’ – Messi’s first ‘contract’ offered for 350,000 eurosThe team from Pamplona is doing good lately, they won seven points in the three previous rounds, so they now sit in the 12th position and do not have to worry about survival.Xavi faces a large number of absences. Ter Stegen, Balde, Inigo Martinez, Sergi Roberto, Xavi, Raphinha and Marcos Alonso are still missing, and the Portuguese Joao Felix joined the injured portion of the squad last week. The former Benfica and Atletico Madrid ace suffered an ankle injury four days ago against Villarreal.For Osasuna, Chimy Avila and Ruben Peña are out of the squad. In the first part of the championship, Barça defeated the Bulls in Pamplona 2-1 and the deciding goal five minutes before the end was the work of the Polish striker Lewandowski. In the Super Cup at the beginning of the year, it was 2-0 for the champion of Spain, and Lewandowski and young Yamal scored the goals.The bidding has started – who are Barcelona’s realistic options for Xavi’s replacement?Atlético Madrid are 11 points behind Girona and ten behind Real Madrid, but Diego Cholo Simeone’s team is not giving up on the battle for the throne. They have two victories in a row, three in the previous four rounds, and tonight (11 PM EAT) city rival Rayo Vallecano, who are in the lower part of the table, are coming to the Metropolitano, and it seems that the Bees do not have to worry about survival in the top tier.Simeone cannot count on the injured Lemar, Jimenez, Azpilicueta and Vitolo, while the visitors are without the help of Bebe and Cisse who are with their national teams at the African Cup of Nations. Lopez is sitting out due to card suspension, while Mendez is injured.The team from Vallecas, a suburb of Madrid, is still hurting from the seven goals conceded against the Mattress Makers at the beginning of the season. Atlético won away from home with as much as 7-0. For almost 11 years, Rayo did not win against their red-and-white city rival, that is, for 15 games – twelve defeats with three draws.Posible once del Atlético ante el Rayo https://t.co/H2L2BbPEFa a través de @diarioas— Fran García (@fgarcia1986) January 31, 2024 LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 20Postponed matchesWednesday21:00: (1.40) Barcelona (4.70) Osasuna (8.00)23:00: (1.53) Atl.Madrid (4.00) Rayo Vallecano (6.75)***odds are subject to change***
