Barcelona: Barcelona returned back to their winning ways in La Liga, with absolute domination over Osasuna in Camp Nou on Sunday (November 29). The Catalans marked their 121st foundation day with a 4-0 win.
Ronald Koeman opted for a 4-3-3 than his usual 4-2-3-1. He started with a lot of attacking midfielders, not in their usual positions. The first few minutes hence looked a bit chaotic as the players tried to find the connection and rhythm.
After a disorganised start, they settled down and started creating chances and found the rhythm and passing. Jordi Alba and Sergino Dest looked very threatening. Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi and Martin Braithwaite were always on the lookout for each other. Messi and Griezmann connected on a number of occasions.
Braithwaite opened the scoring for the Blaugrana men on 29 minutes. The goal was scored from complete chaos in front of the goal line. The ball finally reached the nets coming off the knee of Braithwaite, after a double save from Sergio Herrera.
Griezmann scored a screamer volley from the edge of the box, doubling the lead on 42 minutes. Barcelona were 2-0 during half time. In the second half, Ronald Koeman brought Sergio Busquets. Clement Lenglet had to subbed off following a challenge with Rubén García and being caught on the ankle.
With the likes of Gerard Piqué, Ronald Araújo and Samuel Umtiti already out this could be really a threat. Griezmann assisted Philippe Coutinho and the Catalans were 3-0 up. Griezmann played a very selfless pass and set up Coutinho for an easy tap in on 57 minutes. This was by far the best game Griezmann had in the red and blue jersey, much to his relief.
Ousmane Dembélé had a goal disallowed by VAR due to a Trincão offside during the buildup. But, Messi made the scoreline 4-0 with a beautiful strike and even more beautiful celebration on 73 minutes. He paid homage to Diego Maradona by unveiling a Newell Boy’s No.10 jersey he wore underneath the Barça jersey.
“I’ve spoken to the doctor and we have to wait until tomorrow, but we think it isn’t very serious,” Koeman told the media about Lenglet. “I don’t know if he’ll make Wednesday’s game (against Ferencváros) We have to wait and see; hopefully it isn’t anything major.”
