Osasuna 0-2 Barcelona: Match Review

First-half

After a tiresome week, Barcelona went to Pamplona to complete a brilliant week. Away at El Sadar, the Catalans were the most tired of the two sides.

Osasuna capitalised on Barça’s tiredness with their pace down the wing, and Marc-André Ter Stegen already had more to do in one half than against Sevilla in both games.

However, with this Barça team, the spirit is permanent. Also, when the best player in the world is in the mood, Barça tend to win. Again, Lionel Messi’s brilliance illuminated the stadium, and the opener was a compilation of the Blaugrana captain’s genius.

In the end, Koeman’s men came out on top in the first half as their technical superiority was apparent.

Second-half

Ronald Koeman might have felt a bit dissatisfied after the first-half display. The Dutchman went back to a back four, but Barcelona were significantly worse in the second half.

Osasuna kept breaking the visitors’ defence, and their better fitness levels showed. The locals’ counter-attacks kept applying pressure to a backline that looked genuinely shaky.

Once again, the Copa del Rey finalists’ quality showed as Barcelona doubled the lead. Osasuna were powerless in front of goal, but their opponents did not have many opportunities.

Messi’s teammates go home happy as they are now only two points behind Atletico ahead of the Madrid derby.

Key moments

14′ Osasuna have a long sequence of possession, and they find a way through Barça’s midfield. Marc-André Ter Stegen saves Enrique Barja’s shot from outside of the box beautifully.

30′ GOAL! Osasuna 0-1 Barcelona: Barça get their foot on the ball, and Lionel Messi finds Jordi Alba behind the defence. The attacking full-back takes his time and fires a shot in to put his side in front.

34′ Osasuna go on the counter. Ruben García’s control is superb and helps him fire away at Ter Stegen. The German keeper makes a one-on-one save to keep his side in front.

47′ Messi finds Ousmane Dembélé on the right, and the Frenchman gives him the ball back. The Blaugrana captain’s strike is powerful, but Sergio Herrera keeps a firm hand and saves the attempt.

70′ Pedri fails to start a counter-attack when Aridane Hernandez dispossesses him. Osasuna send in a cross, and Ante Budimir’s header is not far off the goal.

82′ GOAL! Osasuna 0-2 Barcelona: Pedri finds Messi in front of the box. The Argentine sends a quick pass towards Ilaix Moriba, whose rocket finds the top corner. The youngster’s first goal for Barça doubles the lead.