Barcelona traveled to Osasuna for Matchday 8. Prior to the trip, the Catalans had hosted Getafe, and they were able to grind out a one-nil win at home, thanks to a beautiful strike from Robert Lewandoski. So far the Blaugranas have been unbeaten in the La Liga and have neither drawn either. Hansi Flick has been able to manage the team amidst the plague of injury crisis.
Ahead of the Osasuna game, Hansi Flick had determined to rest some key players. The German rested the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphina, and Cassado. He had put Ferran Torres, Pau Viktor, and Pablo Torre in place of them. Unfortunately for Hansi Flick, it didn’t work out and the Catalans were handed a painful defeat.
Osasuna vs Barcelona: First Half
The Catalans looked to control the game, however, the host had set up a beautiful defense line to choke the Blaugranas from securing any clear-cut chances. Soon in the 18th minute, Bryan Zaragoza took Kounde on a race down the left. Beating the Frenchman he was able to make a fine cross that found the head of Ante Budimir, to give Osasuna the lead. It went worse for the Catalans after 10 minutes as a line-breaking pass from Ibanez found a free Zaragoza who used a lovely piece of footwork to beat Inaki Pena Barca’s Goalie to give Osasuna the second.
Barcelona struggled throughout the first half as Osasuna won almost all duels on the pitch. The Catalans failed to register a shot on target in the first half, or any goal attempt. Osasuna led them two-nil at halftime.
Osasuna vs Barcelona: Second Half
Hansi Flick introduced the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphina to Salvage something for the Catalans. It soon got better a bit for the Blaugranas, as a loose pass from Osasuna Goalkeeper Herrera, turned into a goal-scoring chance for the Catalans. At the end of it was Pau Victor, who pulled one back. However, the Catalans couldn’t find the complete comeback. The likes of Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Raphina, and Lewandoski were shut out. Soon after 20 minutes, a Penalty was given to Osasuna, allowing Zaragoza to extend the lead by two goals.
It got worse as Bretones fired a beautiful volley from outside of Barcelona’s 18-yard box into the top corner, making it 4-1.
Yamal responded three minutes later with a beautiful curler outside Osasuna 18 yards, However, the damage had been far done. In the end, the Catalans bowed to a horrible 4-2 defeat at Osasuna.
Man of the Match Performance
Bryan Zaragoza was a terror to the Catalans’ defense. The Osasuna’s forward ran through the Barcelona defense effortlessly. He had the first assist, and he also had two goals. Zaragoza’s pace was unmatchable for the Catalans’ defense line. Hansi Flick had set up a risky highline while launching a forward attack against Osasuna. Moreover, Vincente Moreno saw this and gave Zaragoza and the other Osasuna forwards the keys to exploiting the Catalans. The running of Osasuna forwards behind the Barca defense led to the majority of the goals. The Catalans on their end failed to connect upfront when it came to creating a goal-scoring chance. And once they are dispossessed the likes of Zaragoza were there to punish them
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