Osasuna were looked upon as the underdogs going into this game, as they faced League champions Barcelona at home, El Sadar. Barcelona went into the game with a lot of confidence after a 5-2 win against Betis last Sunday. However, neither team could secure the three points as they both go away with a draw.

In a game that saw Barca make four changes to their starting side, everything looked rather positive for them. They started off quite weak, however, with the home team on the front foot early on as they pressed Barca a lot and Osasuna soon went ahead in the 6th minute! Torres got the hosts on the scoresheet as he struck a fantastic volley into the top corner from close range! This was a huge moment in the game and there was nothing the keeper could have done to stop that ball going in!

Barcelona seemed to improve from here on in, as they started to dominate in possession and had a lot of the ball, they just couldn't do anything with it. As the half-time whistle blew, Osasuna went off having been the better team, sharper, quicker and with very lively forwards. Barcelona needed to improve a lot if they wanted something out of the game.

The second half saw Barca make a change as Ansu Fati came on in place of Semedo and within 5 minutes of being on the parthuritch, the 16-year old scored a cracking goal! This made Barca have a bit more confidence to go ahead and the subsitutions made all the difference as Arthur also came on to replace Rafinha.

Barcelona soon went ahead in the 63rd minute after a goal from sub Arthur, after some great footwork and a stunning strike, he managed to find the back of the net and put Barca in the lead! The subs really made an impact in this game for the away side.

After a lot of going backwards and forwards and a lot of chances for both sides, Osasuna got a penalty after Pique fouled Oier in the edge of the box. Torres sent the keeper the wrong way and the home side equalised in the 79th minute!

After this, both teams were trying their hardest to get a late winner, however nobody managed it and after four minutes of added time, the game ended 2-2.

In a game which came to life in the second half and where the substitutions made all the difference, Osasuna manage to get a point out of their home tie to Barcelona as a penalty late in the game means that the final score is 2-2. Valverde will not be happy as he will view this as a must-win game, Osasuna will be happy to have got a point and not lost that, like they looked like they were going to early on in the second half!

Roberto Torres

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