Osasuna 2-2 Barcelona: Late Avila equaliser pegs back Xavi in bad week
The Catalans are not enjoying themselves right now and this is the latest bad result
Barcelona’s bad week got worse in Pamplona, throwing away a three-point haul against Osasuna.
The Catalans had twice gone in front but silly goals conceded cost Xavi’s team when they were trying to bounce back from their demotion to the Europa League.
Nico Gonzalez broke the deadlock when he controlled Gavi’s fine passed and prodded home in the 12th minute. However, David Garcia levelled two minutes later for the hosts.
He had a free header after getting the better of Samuel Umtiti, handed a surprise start by Xavi in a three man defence, using the 3-4-4 system with the box midfield.
The Frenchman did not have a great return to action on his first appearance of the season. Few Barcelona players did.
Ez Abde was one of them, and he put Barcelona back ahead early in the second half. Abde finished brilliantly after a good cross from the otherwise quiet Ousmane Dembele.
He went off with cramp, it seemed, late on and Philippe Coutinho replaced him. The Brazilian’s unfortunate clearance fell to Chimy Avila, who blasted home a deflected effort from outside the area to level, leaving Barcelona eighth.
