FC Barcelona clinched a hard-fought 2-0 victory over resilient Osasuna at the Spotify Camp Nou in tense La Liga action.
Despite heavy possession and a string of chances, Hansi Flick’s rotated side struggled to break down a well-organised and resilient Osasuna defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half when captain Raphinha unleashed a spectacular long-range strike, perfectly assisted by Pedri, to settle the contest.
Osasuna threatened sparingly on the counter but rarely troubled the Barcelona backline.
The hosts saw an earlier goal disallowed but maintained composure to grind out a vital victory, showcasing determination and quality to secure all three points.
Here are the 5 things we learned:
1. No ruthlessness in attack
Barcelona generated territory and pressure but rarely turned dominance into truly high-quality chances, despite long spells around Osasuna’s box.
Shot volume outweighed shot value, with too many efforts from poor angles or crowded zones, and little of the killer instinct that has defined their best nights this season.
2. Ongoing struggle vs low block
Osasuna’s compact 5-3-2/5-4-1 block again exposed Barça’s difficulties at breaking down settled defences.
The ball moved side-to-side more than between the lines, with limited third-man runs or interior combinations to unhinge the last line, leaving crosses as the default, predictable route.
3. Slow, predictable transitions
Even when Osasuna lost the ball high or in midfield, Barcelona’s counter-attacks lacked speed and directness.
Runners were late to support the ball-carrier, and decisions in transition were often one touch too slow, allowing Osasuna to reset instead of being punished in broken-field situations.
4. Wing play without a final product
Full-backs and wingers saw plenty of the ball, but the wide dominance never translated into consistent, dangerous deliveries or cut-backs.
Too many crosses were floated rather than driven, and timing between crosser and box runners looked off, making life far too comfortable for Osasuna’s centre-backs.
5. Control without incision
Statistically, Barcelona enjoyed its usual control in possession and territory, but it was sterile for large stretches.
The lack of vertical passing from midfield and few decisive carries between the lines meant Osasuna could defend in front of them, highlighting that Flick’s side still needs better rhythm changes and risk-taking to turn dominance into wins in these cagey La Liga fixtures.
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