Osasuna vs. Barcelona: Another test for the Blaugrana without Messi
Messi is still injured so Valverde could pick the same side which beat Betis last week
Barcelona are preparing for their third game of the new La Liga season, once again without Lionel Messi. The first outing was a disaster, a 1-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao which saw Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele injured, too. Things improved at Camp Nou against Real Betis, with Antoine Griezmann scoring twice in a 5-2 win. Osasuna is the next test for Ernesto Valverde's side on Saturday.
The Argentine is still not back from a calf injury and the club have decided not to take any risks with the international break looming and time for him to focus on his recovery. He didn't travel to Bilbao, saw the Betis game from the stands and will not be in Pamplona either. At this stage of the season, it's best for him to focus on getting fit.
GOOD SENSATIONS
The win over Betis at Camp Nou restored the good feeling to the camp after the loss in Bilbao. Griezmann's form was a plus, as was Carles Perez's display. There was also a debut for 16-year-old Ansu Fati, who impressed off the bench in a 15-minute cameo and is in the squad again for Osasuna.
As well as Messi, Barça are also without Suarez and Dembele, still. Suarez should reappear after the international break; Dembele at the end of September. Goalkeeper Neto is also sidelined with a wrist injury, while new signing Junior Firpo has dropped out with a fitness issue. The left-back's place in the squad has been taken by Moussa Wague.
The only players to be left out for technical reasons are Carles Aleña and Jean Clair Todibo.
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