In a stunning turn of events in La Liga, Osasuna delivered a remarkable performance to dethrone league leaders Barcelona with a thrilling 4-2 victory on Saturday. The Catalans, who had triumphed in all seven of their opening fixtures, faced a rude awakening as Hansi Flick’s rotated side crumbled under the pressure. Ante Budimir and Bryan Zaragoza were the stars for Osasuna, each contributing crucial goals in a high-octane match that left Barcelona’s previously unblemished record in tatters.
Barcelona’s game against Osasuna started with high expectations, given their perfect start to the season. However, it did not take long for things to go awry for the Catalans. Ante Budimir opened the scoring for Osasuna, setting the tone for what would turn out to be a challenging game for Barcelona. Bryan Zaragoza followed up with another strike, piling on the pressure and leaving Barcelona scrambling to get back into the game.
Despite being down, Barcelona showed resilience. Pau Victor managed to net a goal, giving Barcelona a glimmer of hope and a reason to believe they could stage a comeback. Yet, their dreams were quickly dashed when Budimir struck again from the penalty spot, securing his brace and Osasuna’s dominance on the scoreboard. Abel Bretones then delivered a sensational goal from the edge of the box, stretching Osasuna’s lead to an almost insurmountable 4-1.
In a spirited effort, Barcelona attempted to claw their way back into the match. Lamine Yamal produced a fine goal, showcasing his individual talent and pulling the score to 4-2. However, despite their efforts, Barcelona could not mount a sufficient comeback to salvage any points from the match.
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Victory for Osasuna means they have dramatically disrupted Barcelona’s quest to match their best-ever start to a league campaign, which was eight consecutive wins. Instead, Barcelona’s lead over second-place Real Madrid remains unchanged at four points, a far cry from the stronghold they were hoping to establish early in the season.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri spoke to Movistar post-match, saying, “It’s normal there are rotations, there are a lot of games, it’s not an excuse. In the second half we deserved a bit more, but we let in goals when we were at our best.” Pedri’s comments reflect the reality of a packed football calendar and the challenge of maintaining peak performance across all fixtures.
With a crucial Champions League match against Young Boys looming on Tuesday, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick decided to rotate his squad. Flick handed starts to lesser-used defenders Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez, while Pablo Torre got a run in midfield and Victor led the attack. Star players such as Lamine Yamal, Spain’s Euro 2024 standout, and Brazilian winger Raphinha were rested ahead of the European contest, showcasing the depth and rotational policy Flick adheres to.
Despite these tactical changes, Barcelona couldn’t find their rhythm against a well-organized Osasuna side. The loss emphasizes the unpredictable nature of La Liga this season and how even dominant teams must stay vigilant to maintain their positions.
Osasuna’s victory was not just a triumph in terms of points but also a statement of their ambition and capability in the league. For Barcelona, the game served as a timely reminder of the challenges that lie ahead and the necessity to balance squad rotation while maintaining performance levels.
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