Xavi talks Abde, Umtiti, top 4 chances after 2-2 draw against Osasuna

Barcelona failed to bounce back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats over the past week as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a spirited Osasuna side at El Sadar on Sunday.

The Catalans took the lead in the first period through a fine strike from Nico Gonzalez, who set up by Gavi. However, their hosts struck back almost immediately through a David Garcia header from a set piece.

Both teams pushed and probed in search of the second, which finally came Barca’s way after the break, with youngster Ez Abde thundering home from close range after some fine work on the right-side by Ousmane Dembele. However, a late strike from substitute Chimy Avila denied Barca all three points, extending their winless run to three points in all competitions.

Barcelona find themselves in eighth place in the table after the result and Xavi Hernandez lamented over the lack of control his team showed after taking the lead in the second half.

“After 1-2 it was time to have the ball, to have more calm and control, we have not known how to play in the opponent’s half for an extended period of time,” the 41-year-old said.

However, the ex-Al Sadd manager insisted that the team will need to keep pushing for a top-four finish. “We have to change this negative dynamic. The goal is to be among the top 4, try to get into the fight for La Liga and believe. We have to keep competing,” he added.

The Barca boss was full of praise for his young players like Abde, Nico and Gavi, all of whom performed admirably on the evening. “Abde was extraordinary. And Nico and Gavi. The young players are supporting the team, they are the ones who make the difference. And that is difficult to digest.”

Xavi made a surprise call at kickoff, handing Samuel Umtiti his first start of the season in defence, ahead of other options like Eric Garcia, Clement Lenglet and Oscar Mingueza. Explaining his decision, the Barcelona head coach said: “It was a game in which the centre-backs had to win a lot of the ball. Umtiti is training well and I think he played a good game.”

Source: BarcaTV+