Martino wary of Osasuna threat

Tata Martino has urged his Barcelona side not to sit on their laurels when they face Osasuna on Sunday.

The Blaugrana play the Rojillos tomorrow, looking for the three points that could take them to within one of Real Madrid.

But with Javi Gracia’s men performing well against Atletico Madrid and Los Blancos this term, the Coach has claimed that his team cannot afford to be at half-pace.

“They are a difficult side for everybody, especially when they hosted the top three in the League,” he told a Press conference.

“That’s why we’re expecting a tough match, in which we’ll have to work hard.

“I understand that we shouldn’t [be falling away in the League]. The players are used to being motivated. The run up to the game saw two very different things: going through in the Champions League against City, and the poor performance last week.

“We need to change things from the game against Valladolid.

“There aren’t any magic words or magic talks, there are reasons to keep fighting though things are no longer in our hands.

“Tomorrow’s game is very important in terms of what’s coming up next week. Osasuna is key if we’re still to have a chance against Madrid.”

The Argentine tactician then commented on Gerard Pique’s exclusion from the matchday squad and Neymar’s recent form.

“It’s a minor thing [with Gerard], but we had to decide between how much we need him today or in the short term. Given that, we’d prefer he didn’t play.

“Neymar’s position on the pitch hasn’t changed much. As a left winger or centre forward his performances have been very good.

“Against City he played out right and he was very good. He’s fine playing in any of the three positions up front.

“Coming back from a month out it’s always hard to get your rhythm back and then all the difficulties with his signing came up. If I had to choose a reason I’d say it was from things off the pitch.”

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