BARCELONA

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It is the first time this season that Barca have gone two matches without a win and it comes at a crucial time in the campaign. ``We are lacking a bit of rhythm at the moment,'' Rijkaard said.

We have to talk more and lift ourselves. I don't think that there is much more wrong than that. We cannot afford now to drop our heads because we are fighting for two trophies and have important games ahead of us,'' he said.

Barcelona also have a 2-1 lead over Chelsea in their Champions League tie after the first-round game at the Nou Camp. `If a player is tired, then we will take him out and put someone else in but at the moment, that is not a problem for us and they are all keen and ready to play. There isn't a case of players being distracted by other matches (Chelsea) when we are playing in the league and they will be fully focused against Osasuna.''

The players believe that they still have a comfortable lead in the table although they agree they cannot afford to sit back. ``The six-point advantage is considerable but of course in a league with three points for a win it means that you always have to be very concentrated because it can easily go wrong,'' said defender Carles Puyol. ``We are all in good spirits at the moment, we have worked hard to reach this position and now we are just approaching the last phase.''

The form of the World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, has been disappointing this season with the Brazilian dogged by an ankle injury at the start and since then his displays have failed to reach the heights of his first year at the club. Puyol is confident that Ronaldinho will deliver sooner rather than later. ``He is a crucial player for us and if he is doing well then it makes a big difference to the team. I am sure that he will finish the season well,'' said Puyol.

Rijkaard will have to choose between Andres Iniesta and Maxi Lopez for the spare forward position vacated by the injured Ludovic Giuly against Osasuna. The Frenchman has a back problem which forced him to miss the last match against Espanyol and will mean he is also out of the Osasuna game and the Champions League clash with Chelsea next week. Maxi was Giuly's substitute against Espanyol but his failure to make an impact has placed Iniesta further up the pecking order.

The visit of Barca comes at a bad time for Osasuna who have not won in five matches and are looking nervously over their shoulder at the relegation zone. Coach Javier Aguirre will be without Mohammed El Yaagoubi, who has been suspended after being sent off in the mid-week draw with Albacete. This is a great time for Barcelona to get their title winning aspirations back on track. At odds near to evens 8/11 with Bluesq, they should be snapped up!

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