There were doubts, due to the date chosen, after the break for the national teams, that Barça, perhaps, could leave doubts or show some sign of weakness against Osasuna. Moreover, the eleven that Hansi Flick had at his disposal on Montjuic were not the gala team: without Robert Lewandowski, Cubasí and Raphinha. In his place, Ferran Torres, the German’s 12th man, along with Dani Olmo, Eric García and Gavi, did the job and with the same result as his teammates: another Barcelona dance in La Liga.
Because Osasuna couldn’t do much against the Barcelona storm. Already in the 7th minute, Olmo warned with a shot that didn’t quite find the target. In the 14th minute, however, Ferran Torres was not going to miss. Frenkie de Jong, on one of those days when you remember what it was like at Ajax, slipped a ball over Balde, who crossed it into the area and Ferran appeared to push it into the net of Sergio Herrera’s goal.
Great play by Frenkie de Jong, threading a pass through the gap to Balde, a low cross to the heart of the area and there comes Ferran with everything he’s got to throw himself to the ground and push it into the six-yard box. The first. But the worst, so to speak, of the game was yet to come. The Catalans usually play better than their rivals, Flick’s plan is almost always executed to perfection – whoever plays – but, unfortunately, the game will again be marred by a new controversial action in favor of the azulgranas.
Penalty for Dani Olmo
The controversy was not caused by the penalty itself; where the contact is evident, although there may be doubts about the magnitude of the contact or even whether Dani Olmo puts too much VAT on it. Herrera, moreover, does not move. The case, equally, was what happened next. Because on the first attempt, Herrera saved the penalty. But VAR appeared. Moncayola had invaded the area. The penalty was retaken and this time Olmo made no mistake: two-nil. On social media, as is almost always the case, the debate was already raging about both plays.
All the same, the game was still going Barça’s way. The bad news was to come from Dani Olmo, who had to withdraw around the 27th minute with a muscle problem. Fermín came on in his place, who at one point was aiming to start today. A few minutes later, Szczesny certified Barcelona’s superiority by doing one of his own: he ‘smoked’ it in the area under pressure from Raúl García and drew applause from Montjuic. Show.
A placid second half for Barça
The match did not have much more to offer. Pablo Torre played well throughout the second half, replacing De Jong and Ferran, who played the other day with the national team, also leaving his place to Lewandowski in the 67th minute. FC Barcelona had everything completely under control and Osasuna barely managed to create any dangerous chances. Herrando, just after the break, headed wide when he was completely unmarked; and Areso‘s ball to the far post was not met by Moi Gómez.
Vicente Moreno’s changes improved the team somewhat against a Barça side that didn’t need much more to maintain the result and even extend it. Because the top scorer had to score. A dizzying counter-attack from Barça, who scored with three touches. Gavi played it out to Fermín, who put it on a plate for Lewandowski to head home. Goal number 23 for the Pole in LaLiga. Another festival. FC Barcelona went to sleep even more of a leader, leaving them in an increasingly favorable situation: in terms of sensations, in terms of play and in terms of the calendar. They won’t have much time to celebrate; on Sunday, a new final against Girona.