Osasuna 0-2 Barcelona: Old and new for Koeman as Barca keep pace
Messi to Alba is a classic connection but Messi to Ilaix was something new
This wasn’t one of Barcelona’s best performances of late and on another day they might have let it slip, but the dynamic the team is in pulled them through. On a possibly dangerous high after the comeback against Sevilla, Osasuna tested the Catalans, but Jordi Alba and Ilaix Moriba’s goals earned the three points.
It puts Barca within two points of Atletico, who have played two games fewer but host Real Madrid on Sunday in an intriguing battle which will affect the way the land lies at the top.
Jonathan Calleri’s early effort from distance to try and catch out Ter Stegen showed the wily opponents Osasuna are.
At the other end Messi and Dest couldn’t quite find their way in and then the Argentine was felled by Osasuna keeper Herrera outside the box, but the stopper’s red card was rescinded as Messi was offside.
Alba broke the deadlock with a thumped strike, as usual set up by his close associate Messi, with an inch-perfect drop-in ball over the top.
Ter Stegen made a sublime stop to deny Ruben Garcia shortly afterwards, a powerful effort from close range after a sublime first touch.
Ronald Koeman subbed Umtiti for Dembele at half-time and changed the shape to accommodate, but Osasuna kept threatening.
Calleri should have scored but headed wide, while Herrera kept out a Messi effort from distance.
Eventually substitute Ilaix doubled Barcelona’s lead, cutting onto his left foot and curling home well from outside the area.
Not a great win but a very useful one.
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