Barcelona prolonged their lead on the high of LaLiga with a 2-0 victory over struggling Osasuna on the Camp Nou on Saturday.
Raphinha scored each targets because the Catalan membership made it seven league wins in a row to maneuver seven factors clear on the summit of the desk, albeit having performed one sport greater than rivals Real Madrid, who meet Alaves tomorrow.
But it surely was removed from plain crusing for Hansi Flick’s facet in opposition to their Sixteenth-placed opponents. The hosts endured a irritating night for greater than an hour after a disallowed first-half purpose was adopted by a number of good probabilities that went begging.
Osasuna had a handful of alternatives to trigger an upset, however Flick’s males finally broke down the guests to take all three factors.
Barca’s first likelihood got here contained in the opening quarter-hour, Torres prodding over from Lamine Yamal’s pacy inswinging supply.
Moments later, the guests went near entering into entrance when Ante Budimir shot straight at Joan Garcia at shut vary after swivelling within the space.
Eric Garcia then blasted narrowly vast for the hosts earlier than Torres thought he had made amends for his earlier miss when he headed into the highest nook from Marcus Rashford’s chipped supply on 23 minutes.
Nevertheless, an offside from Barcelona’s short-corner within the build-up meant the purpose was chalked off.
Flick minimize an agitated determine on the touchline. For all their dominance, the LaLiga leaders failed to interrupt down their cussed opponents.
Torres fired off-target with an acrobatic effort after some spectacular footwork from Yamal; a squandered likelihood that may have accomplished little to ease the Barca boss’ frustration.
The sport continued in a lot the identical vogue after the break, with the hosts dominant however the guests nonetheless providing a menace.
A rasping Rashford free-kick drew a advantageous save from Sergio Herrera earlier than a swift Osasuna counter resulted in a Victor Munoz shot that brushed the facet netting.
However simply when it appeared it may be a type of nights for Barca, they finally broke the impasse on 70 minutes, following a sweeping transfer via the thirds that culminated in Raphinha arrowing a left-footed strike into the underside nook from simply exterior the field.
With 10 minutes remaining, Herrera parried from Yamal’s curling goal-bound effort earlier than Raphinha doubled his tally for the night 5 minutes later, gratefully tapping dwelling on the far publish from Alejandro Catena’s tried clearance to make the factors secure.
