Pierre Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with Ousmane Dembele and Dani Alves during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona v Osasuna at the Camp Nou on March 13, 2022 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Barcelona once again find the back of the net against Osasuna
Coming off a disappointing draw against Galatasaray in the Europe League, Barcelona needed to pick themselves up in LaLiga against Osasuna.
Xavi Hernandez’s side did exactly that.
After failing finish off some of the scant opportunities they created in their midweek match, the Catalan side proved to be much more clinical this time around.
In the span of about 13 minutes early in the first half, Barcelona scored three times to put the game out of reach.
Osasuna’s gameplan was to park the bus and try to hit the Blaugrana on the break. The first part of their plan worked as they were able to stifle the Barcelona attack.
But all their work was undone after Gavi was fouled inside the area. The referee did not hesitate in whistling the foul and awarding a penalty. Ferran Torres stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Barcelona up 1-0.
Seven minutes later, in the 21st minute, Torres scored his second goal of the match thanks to a good run from Ousmane Dembele who spotted Torres making the run inside. The French forward then delivered a precise through ball who slotted his shot under the legs of the Osasuna keeper.
Dembele was not done quite yet as six minutes later, his cross from the right found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who poked in Barcelona’s third goal.
With the game under control, Barcelona took their foot off the gas in the second half. Gerard Pique, who was making his 600th appearance for the club, was subbed out for Clement Lenglet. Memphis Depay, Riqui Puig, Martin Braithwaite and Oscar Mingueza were also brought on.
Puig, who hasn’t played much under Xavi, quickly made his presence felt. The midfielder was on the receiving end of another Dembele pass. His shot was saved by Sergio Herrera but the Osasuna keeper gave up the rebound. Puig pounced on it, side stepped Herrera and calmly scored their fourth goal.
It was a much improved display from what Xavi saw midweek as not only did they take their chances, but upped the intensity during the first half. They still had their mistakes going forward as the scoreline could have been even more lopsided.
But Barcelona will gladly take the win and the three points. They once again move ahead of Atletico Madrid and take over third place in the table.
Up next for the Catalans is the second leg of their round of 16 match against Galatasaray. It’s an important match not only for their European future but for momentum as well as after that is El Clasico against Real Madrid.
