UEFA Champions League: Barcelona seeks redemption after Osasuna loss

The second matchday of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League will come alive on Tuesday, and the spotlight will be on Hansi Flick’s men, who had their first baptism of fire under the German manager at Osasuna on Saturday. 

Barca saw their perfect winning start to their La Liga campaign ended with a 4-2 stunner against Vicente Moreno’s side – a defeat that Flick took responsibility for resting some of his key players. 

Also, their opener in Europe a fortnight ago ended with a loss against Monaco in France. 

Therefore, they will aim to bounce back against the Swiss side, Young Boys – and anything short of a win could be detrimental to their aspirations of a direct qualification into the knockout phases of the competition. 

Their defeat in France was the fourth across eight outings in Europe (3 wins and one draw), as well as a third successive match they will concede 2+ goals. 

Meanwhile, their opponents on Tuesday – Young Boys, were also humbled at home in their match day one fixture against Aston Villa, likewise this past weekend against Grasshoppers.

Their own loss over the weekend was the fourth from eight matches this season, and a win in Spain will definitely be a morale booster for Rahmen Patrick’s men.

It must be noted that Spain has been a tough place for the Swiss side, having lost its three back-to-back trips to the Spanish side. Recent European travels usually haven’t been their forte either, as Young Boys have won just once across their last eight UCL away games (3 draws, four losses). 

Half of those games saw the misfiring outfit fail to score, which was also the case in their two most recent competitive defeats.

Given Barcelona are on a run of four wins in succession at home in the Champions League, it is enough motivation for them to snatch all maximum points.