Barcelona inch closer to LaLiga title with narrow win over Osasuna
A fall from grace, alongside the loss of Lionel Messi, has hurt Barcelona’s proud fanbase in recent years.
But Xavi’s work since taking the hotseat in 2021 is self-evident, and the Catalan club boasted a healthy lead atop the standings before kick-off.
Nonetheless, this evening remained an important factor in Barca’s title charge, and Pedri looked to dispel any nerves in the ranks by taking the driving seat of his side's numerous early forays.
Osasuna’s defence largely held itself together in a disciplined manner against Pedri’s efforts to rally the champions-elect, but the visitors suffered a blow in the form of Jorge Herrando’s red card just before the half-hour mark.
Frenkie de Jong’s excellent through-ball saw Pedri break past the visitors’ lines, and the defender's clumsy challenge left referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva little choice but to take the nuclear option.
The rejuvenated De Jong then played another superb pass just minutes later, this time over the top of the visitors’ maimed backline, but Raphinha spurned a glorious one-on-one opportunity.
That miss was Barca's best chance of the first half by far, keeping their fans optimistic during the break. And they stayed on top after the break, with Alejandro Balde’s overlapping runs providing some eye-catching moments.
However, it was De Jong who had the best chance before the hour mark, as Pedri’s sumptuous cross found the midfielder in the penalty box, but Aitor Fernandez made a stunning point-blank save to keep the Catalan giants frustrated.
Looking desperate to be the decisive factor, Ousmane Dembele was next to fail for Barca, after slicing his effort wide from just 10 yards out, before Fernandez then denied Robert Lewandowski from close range.
With just five minutes of the 90 remaining, after Lewandowski saw a strike ruled out for offside, it seemed as though Osasuna would avoid defeat at the Camp Nou for a second time in four league campaigns.
But one of Barca’s old guard had different ideas, as De Jong set up Jordi Alba with a neat headed pass, before the Spaniard’s composed strike finally beat Fernandez for a dramatic victory – one that might just have sealed Barca’s title destiny.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Aitor Fernandez (Osasuna)
