Barcelona Thrashes Osasuna to Cement LaLiga Lead

Barcelona has surged ahead in LaLiga, claiming the top spot with a resounding victory over Osasuna in a postponed match.

Hansi Flick, visibly frustrated, insisted before the game that the best way to protest the refusal to delay their match against Osasuna—despite a grueling schedule—was simply “to win.” And win they did, with an emphatic 3-0 triumph.

Ferran Torres opened the scoring and Robert Lewandowski sealed it, underscoring Barcelona’s current dominant form. The team seems unstoppable, whether relying on their starters or backup players. Amidst cheers and chants, with memories of rivals Real Madrid and a wave of optimism, Barcelona confidently rides at the top of the standings, setting record-breaking trends.

This win marks Barcelona’s eighth consecutive victory in LaLiga, surpassing their previous season’s best start of seven wins until they stumbled in their eighth fixture against Osasuna. This time, however, Flick’s squad secured the win decisively in the first half through sheer effort and football mastery.

However, Barcelona paid a price with Dani Olmo’s injury—a concern for the coaching staff, who now face careful rotation choices for upcoming matches against Girona on Sunday and at the Metropolitano next Wednesday. Nevertheless, they’ve achieved their primary goal: securing sole possession of first place and solidifying their status as strong title contenders.

For ten brief minutes, Osasuna held the scoreline at 0-0 in Montjuïc. Within seven minutes, Olmo missed a clear chance set up by Alejandro Balde. Just four minutes later, Balde assisted Ferran Torres, who was playing in place of Lewandowski, to strike the opening goal, easing any tension early on.

Throughout the first 30 minutes, Barcelona launched a relentless assault, aware of the potential physical toll in the second half, they aimed to wrap up the game swiftly. The pace quickened when Sergio Herrera fouled Olmo, leading to a penalty which was initially blocked but correctly ordered to be retaken after Moncayola encroached into the box before the kick.

The retake was successful, setting Barcelona ahead 2-0 in just 20 minutes, seemingly on cruise control towards victory. Midway through, the leader sustained its charge, mindful of previous setbacks.

Concerns that physical fatigue might affect Barça in the second half were swiftly managed by Flick, who expertly rotated his squad. Forced to substitute Fermín for Olmo before the first half ended, he later introduced Pablo Torre, who hadn’t played in many matches. Both Fermín—providing the assist for Lewandowski’s 3-0 goal—and Torre showcased their readiness to meet high expectations in top-level games.

Despite any attempts by the visiting side to reduce the deficit, it was Barcelona who extended their margin, transforming victory into a statement victory, quelling any debates. With ten games left in LaLiga, the league has taken on a distinctly Barca hue.