Robert Lewandowski’s late penalty was sufficient for Barcelona to earn a slim 2-1 win at Osasuna on Sunday night and keep two factors behind Real Madrid in La Liga heading into the worldwide break.
Portuguese pair Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix have been each named in Xavi’s squad after sealing late mortgage strikes to Camp Nou however it was Kounde who made the primary huge impression of the competition when he rose highest to look in Ilkay Gundogan’s supply.
The Catalan giants as soon as once more struggled to kill the match off and have been pegged again when Argentinian winger Chimy Avila got here infield and blasted a rocket previous an unsighted Marc-Andre ter Stegen and in off the put up.
However, Osasuna defender Alejandro Catena was despatched off for grabbing Lewandowski within the field and the Polish striker cooly slotted in an 86th-minute winner.
How the sport unfolded
Lewandowski had been vocally crucial of Barca’s lack of attacking menace throughout the opening weeks of the season however their intent couldn’t be doubted within the first couple of minutes as they got here ever so near an opener.
A cross from Frenkie de Jong reached Gundogan whose tried go to Lewandowski was cleared again to De Jong. The Dutchman struck the proper put up and the rebound may solely be turned broad by Lewandowski with the aim gaping.
16-year-old Lamine Yamal, handed a 3rd league begin of the season, noticed a shot ricochet into Gundogan’s path however the Germany worldwide flashed his volley broad of the highest nook.
The house facet threatened subsequent by Jose Arnaiz, who scored three Copa del Rey objectives in three appearances for Barca in 2017/18, as the winger examined Ter Stegen with an honest crack from distance.
The stress on the away aim continued to ramp up with Ter Stegen once more required to maintain Barca forward. Jesus Areso broke into Barca’s field and located Oroz, whose effort was met by an alert Ter Stegen who pushed the ball away from hazard.
Osasuna deservedly levelled proceedings by an exquisite Avila effort. The winger carved a route in the direction of the sting of the field earlier than belting his strike in off the far put up with Ter Stegen rooted to the spot.
Felix joined fellow mortgage arrival Cancelo for his debut off the bench late on as Barca looked for a winner that may ultimately come from the penalty spot.
A ball excessive from De Jong discovered Lewandowski who entered right into a tussle with Catena after controlling together with his chest. The striker hit the deck and a penalty was awarded earlier than VAR intervention noticed the preliminary yellow card upgraded to a pink.
Lewandowski, who struggled to affect proceedings for essentially the most a part of the sport, stuttered and completed cooly as Barca noticed out a prolonged quantity of damage time with a participant benefit to go as much as third in La Liga, two factors behind leaders Real Madrid.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – Handful of essential saves stored Barca forward earlier than Avila’s strike from distance nestled within the far nook.
RB: Sergi Roberto – 6/10 – Pretty protected in possession and never all that forceful in defence earlier than being changed by Cancelo.
CB: Jules Kounde – 9/10 – Put Barca forward with a perfectly-placed header simply earlier than half-time and was available to make seven clearances. Also received 4 of his six aerial duels.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 8/10 – Similarly dominant within the air, popping out of prime in six of his seven duels. Completed 85 of his 89 tried passes.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 7/10 – Had 83 touches with Barca focusing on their assaults at Osasuna’s right-hand facet. Looked to dribble out of hassle and often received it proper.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10 – Grabbed an help for Kounde’s header and made plenty of ahead bursts that may have resulted in objectives on one other day.
CM: Oriol Romeu – 7/10 – Made a joint sport excessive of 4 tackles – alongside Gavi – and succeeded in his clear destroyer function.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10 – Barca’s most concerned participant with 134 touches. Struck the put up early on and did lose the ball thrice however was in any other case joyous to look at.
RW: Lamine Yamal – 6/10 – Played just below an hour and one shot led to a chance for Gundogan.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – 7/10 – Struggled for clear-cut possibilities from open play and usually wasn’t too concerned, His effort to win the penalty after which convert finally pulled Barca to victory.
LW: Gavi – 7/10 – Typically pugnacious in defence, making 5 fouls and someway escaping and not using a yellow card.
Substitutes
Joao Cancelo (59′ for Roberto) – 6/10 – Showed off a few of his trademark passing that may get the Camp Nou crowd cooing.
Ferran Torres (59′ for Yamal) – 5/10 – Didn’t see an excessive amount of of the ball after approaching, getting solely 15 touches.
Joao Felix (79′ for Romeu) – 6/10 – Made his debut late on and appeared eager to place himself about.
Raphinha (90′ for Lewandowski) – N/A
Inigo Martinez (90′ for Christensen) – N/A
Manager
Xavi – 6/10 – Barca’s clear dominance in possession is not being rewarded with huge scorelines prefer it has previously. It practically price Xavi earlier than Lewandowski received and transformed a penalty.
Player of the match – Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
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