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| Messi celebrates against Osasuna |
FC Barcelona put up another wonderful display, this time in the league as they saw off Osasuna 3-0 at El Sadar, quite comfortably but a bit hard-fought as they close the gap on Real Madrid at the top of the table to three points.
Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to the win, registering two goals whilst also playing a huge role in the other goal which was scored by Luis Suárez.
Luis Enrique started a rather expected lineup, making six changes to the team that beat Borussia Mönchengladbach on Tuesday with Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Alba, Busquets and Suárez returning to the lineup and they were all key to the victory.
Barcelona dominated the game from kickoff, piling the pressure on their opponent and got the first clear chance to score after just 8 minutes. Lionel Messi did well to specular sidefoot a wonderful pass to set up Suárez on the right, but the Uruguayan could only get his shot wide. Suárez came close four minutes later, striking the upright with a powerful shot, then Umtiti headed an Iniesta free kick wide.
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It was Messi’s turn to get the chances, the Argentina star was set up free in the box by Luis Suárez but had his shot saved by Nauzet when he should’ve scored. The goalkeeper was back in action to deny the little magician again 10 minutes later by tipping over his chip in a one-on-one situation.
Barcelona grew frustrated and Osasuna came very close to scoring after Oriol Riera couldn’t meet a cross just a few yards away from goal. It ended 0-0 at half time with Barcelona bossing at everything but then it was Osasuna who started the second half the brighter team as Sergio Leon came close to scoring a beauty, chipping Ter Stegen from afar off but the Barça goalkeeper had the crossbar to thank as it kept the ball out.
Osasuna looked to be doing great but then Barça struck. Sergio Busquets did well to create space to find Messi who did well to find Alba on the left before the left-back squared a pass to Suárez who only needed to tap into an empty net, Barça could have a sigh of relief.
Messi killed Osasuna’s hopes on 72 minutes after he did well to race down the left, found Denis Suárez who made a fine through ball to Jordi Alba on the left before the Spaniard crossed to Messi who slotted past Nauzet, Alba getting his second assist of the game.
Ter Stegen stopped a beautiful strike by Sergio León before Messi finished the game off in injury time as he dazzled past 4 defenders before shooting past Nauzet, leaving him rooted to the spot to make it 3-0. Barcelona now get their first League win in four games and are now 3 points behind Real Madrid who play Deportivo La Coruña late on.