Xavi has a major selection dilemma ahead of Barcelona’s game against Osasuna

It has not been the smoothest of starts to the new season for Barcelona, but they have managed to stay unbeaten so far in three games, collecting seven points along the way.

The Blaugrana are set for another tricky assignment this weekend as they travel to El Sadar to take on Jagoba Arrasate’s CA Osasuna outfit.

Heading into the game, Barça boss Xavi Hernandez is set to have some selection headaches, none more so than one involving the breakout star of the season in Lamine Yamal.

Yamal or Raphinha against Osasuna?

Indeed, as Javi Miguel of AS reports, Barcelona manager Xavi will have to decide who to start with between Yamal and Raphinha when the team take on Osasuna this Sunday.

Following Ousmane Dembele’s departure, it was expected that Raphinha would be the owner of the starting spot on the right flank.

In fact, he started the first game of the season against Getafe on the right, but was sent off and has since missed two matches due to suspension.

In those two games, Xavi has banked on Yamal ahead of more experienced individuals like Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, and the manager’s bet has paid off as the 16-year-old prodigy has been absolutely sensational.

Set to sign a new contract later this week, the La Masia wonderkid is all set to be the next big thing at Barcelona.

And on form and meritocracy alone, the 16-year-old Yamal deserves to hold on to his spot in the side despite Raphinha serving his two-match ban and becoming available for selection.

What about the others?

At the same time, Xavi also has to decide whether he hands a start to Ferran Torres or not. The 23-year-old has scored two vital goals in two games coming off the bench and is pushing for a starting berth.

Meanwhile, Ez Abde and Ansu Fati are also waiting in the wings for their opportunities, with the former even said to be disappointed after not playing any minutes against Villarreal.

So, apart from the Yamal-Raphinha dilemma, Xavi will have more puzzles to solve before Barcelona step out at El Sadar to face Osasuna.