Welcome back to TalkBarca. Our topic for today is the Match Review of Osasuna vs FC Barcelona. Barcelona returned to La Liga action after a great win against Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey competition. The Blaugranas had a tough task to accomplish away from home and that was to win against Osasuna. Ronald Koemann badly needed his team to win to stay alive in the La Liga title race.
The Blaugranas stepped into this game without Gerrard Pique and an away game pressure. However, FC Barcelona proved to be too good for the home side. With Jordi Alba and Ilaix Moriba on the score sheet, FC Barcelona won 0-2 against Osasuna. FC Barcelona is now firmly at the second spot in the points table. Real Madrid is 3 points behind FC Barcelona whereas FC Barcelona is 2 points behind Atletico Madrid.
The title race is on in La Liga!
OSASUNA VS FC BARCELONA MATCH REVIEW
FIRST HALF
Barcelona went into this game with a very positive mentality. However, their physical tiredness was visible as well. The team was very slow in the first half and therefore, Osasuna was the dominant team. Osasuna created a few chances during the early moments of the first half. However, Marc Andre Ter Stegen was too good for them. However, the away side gathered themselves together pretty quickly after that and got into the right footballing mood. Lionel Messi began to create his impact in the game and helped Barcelona get its first goal.
Lionel Messi found Jordi Alba running behind the defense during the 30th minute of the game. The FC Barcelona full-back took his shot patiently and got the first goal of the game. The FC Barcelona team completely woke up after getting the lead. It seemed as if they did not want to let it slip. The team began to tease Osasuna with possession and dribbles. Ronald Koemann’s men created chances as well. However, the first half ended with one goal only.
Barcelona did not start as the better team but ended with a heavy upper hand over Osasuna. Ronald Koemann looked like a happy man as his team went inside the tunnel after their first-half performance.
FIRST HALF: OSASUNA 0-1 FC BARCELONA
SECOND HALF
Things were working alright for the away side. However, Ronald Koemann decided to change things a little. He added one more player to the defense and went from 3 at the back to 4. Maybe, Koemann was being cautious not to concede any goal or maybe there was something else on his mind. However, even with 4 at back Osasuna started off on a better note than FC Barcelona.
The team created many chances against the Blaugranas and they were giving the visitors a tough time because of their better fitness levels. However, the Blaugranas kept their calm and managed to deny the home side every time they got closer to getting on the score sheet.
FC Barcelona created chances too. However, failed to convert them. Messi, De Jong, Dembele, and Antoine were having a great game, but FC Barcelona still needed another goal in order to confirm their victory.
Lionel Messi found Ilaix Moriba at the 82nd minute of the game. The youngster finished the ball at the back of the net leaving the goalkeeper helpless. FC Barcelona got its second goal, confirmed its victory and Moriba got his first goal for FC Barcelona.
The game ended soon after that and FC Barcelona was the happier unit. Ronald Koemann was proud of his team. Considering the recent performances from Pedri, Puig, Moriba, and Ansu Fati to return, the future of FC Barcelona is in safe hands.
FULL TIME: OSASUNA 0-2 FC BARCELONA
