Messi has almost single-handedly maintained Barcelona's title push in recent weeks with nine goals in their last four Primera Division outings.

He has scored hat-tricks in the last two - against Valencia and Real Zaragoza - to keep Barca level with Real Madrid at the top of the table.

Messi is probably the last player the Osasuna defence would want to face following their capitulation from 1-0 up to lose 3-1 at home to Racing Santander yesterday.

Jose Antonio Camacho's men have not won in their last six league outings and things are unlikely to get any easier at the Nou Camp.

But Flano believes now is the time to roll up the sleeves and show some mental strength.

He told the club's official website: "It is time to reflect and focus. We have to grit our teeth to achieve our goals.

"The team is too fragile. We have to be mentally stronger in the face of adversity.

"We lack aggression in the important moments of the game, both offensively and defensively."

He realises an Osasuna win in Catalonia is a long shot and urged the players to not only focus on the threat of Messi.

"We have fewer options than Barcelona but we have a chance to win," he added.

"He (Messi) is the best player in the world, he has a tremendous record. But we can't just think about Messi."

Barca would move three points clear of Madrid with a win, because Manuel Pellegrini's men are not in action until Thursday when they make the short trip to the suburbs of the capital to face Getafe.

Midfielder Esteban Granero, an unsung hero at the Bernabeu this season, is hoping the side can maintain their push at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

"All we are doing now is thinking about our next match. We cannot lose or else we will fall off track," he said.

"We have learned that we cannot get ahead of ourselves.

"This is a very competitive league between the top two teams.

"We have lost very few points and we would sit comfortably top of any other league right now.

"We are the leaders (on goal difference) and we control our own destiny. We will remain calm as long as we continue winning."

Third-placed Valencia are 18 points behind the top two but look a good bet to return to the Champions League. Los Che host Malaga on Wednesday.

Real Mallorca are the surprise team in fourth, although that is largely due to a wonderful home record which has seen them win 12 of 13 meetings at Son Moix.

They have just two successes on the road and will hope to make that three in Santander against Racing.

Mallorca are likely to find themselves back in fifth when they take the field at El Sardinero with Sevilla, just two points behind them, hosting rock-bottom Xerez tomorrow night.

The Andalusians have been in poor form recently, slipping out of the top four and exiting the Champions League, increasing the pressure on coach Manolo Jimenez.

Seventh-placed Deportivo La Coruna are still in the race for a top-four finish and they go to Sporting Gijon in tomorrow's other game.

In Wednesday's remaining fixtures, Almeria host improving Real Zaragoza, Villarreal go to second-bottom Tenerife while third-bottom Real Valladolid take on Espanyol.

On Thursday, Atletico Madrid meet Athletic Bilbao at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.