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Barcelona returned to winning ways in La Liga with a 4-0 win over Osasuna at the Camp Nou on Sunday when Lionel Messi paid tribute to Diego Maradona with a brilliant second-half goal.
Martin Braithwaite, making his first start in the league this season, opened the scoring from close range and Antoine Griezmann added the second before the break with an impressive volley from the edge of the area.
Philippe Coutinho scored the third after the break when Griezmann shot him before Messi completed the win by Ronald Koeman’s men. Messi whipped home from 20 yards before revealing a Newell’s Old Boys jersey in tribute to Maradona, the former Argentina, Napoli and Barça striker who died on Wednesday.
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Positive
This victory, coupled with a 4-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the middle of the week, was just what was needed after last week’s loss to Atlético Madrid. Barça is now heading on a six-game league streak, four of which will be at home, full of confidence and back in the upper half of the table. Beyond the result and four goals, Barça played well, with a glimpse of fast-paced one-touch football not often seen at Camp Nou recently.
Koeman will also be happy to have seen all four of his attackers on the score sheet. Messi scored his seventh of the season, Griezmann had four in his last six games, Braithwaite scored for the third time in a week and Coutinho was right for the first time since returning from a hamstring injury.
Negative
Koeman may have to dust off his boots if Barca’s bad luck continues on defense. Clement Lenglet started the match as the only center-back in senior form, but limped off with an ankle injury in the second half, joining Gerard Piqué, Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti on the bench.
Barça, therefore, closed the game with midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Oscar Mingueza of the B behind. The Dutch manager will keep his fingers crossed and hope Lenglet won’t be out for long with a nonstop schedule between now and the end of the year.
Manager rating out of 10
7 – Koeman’s decision to use Braithwaite as the fixed 9 and Pedri alongside Frenkie de Jong in midfield was brave but well worth it. He also used his substitutes well to rest the players without giving Osasuna momentum back.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 – He made himself work in favor of his clean sheet, making a series of good saves.
DF Sergino Dest, 7 – Another really encouraging performance from the US international, despite being a pre-match fitness question. Daring in attack and solid in defense.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 7 – The youngster made a missed pass or two in dangerous areas but overall it has been the big positive of the past week after being asked to step up due to the injury crisis on defense.
DF Clemente Lenglet, 6 – He had been hit two or three times before finally coming out with an ankle problem.
DF Jordi Alba, 6 – He got into some dangerous positions on the left, but his crosses often lacked quality. Helped create opener.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 6 – He played a sensational pass to Messi in the first half before being asked to return to defense after Lenglet’s injury.
MF Pedri, 6 – He played a deeper role, but was as comfortable as ever in possession.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 8 – He has worn a different player in the last week. He bonded well with Messi, creating an early opportunity for Coutinho, before coming close to scoring himself. He finally found the back of the net with a forceful volley and then set up Barça’s third goal for Coutinho.
DEL Lionel Messi, 8 – He looked so happy with the Barça shirt as since he tried to leave in the summer. He finished off a good performance with an impressive shot in the 73rd minute.
DEL Philippe Coutinho, 6 – He lost a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the first half, but finally scored his goal after the break thanks to Griezmann’s selfless play.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 7 – His mere presence opened space behind him for Messi, Griezmann and Coutinho to create. He also scored another poacher goal to make it three goals in two starts this week.
Substitutes
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 – He entered halftime, coming back from a knee injury that kept him out for two weeks.
DF Junior Firpo, 6 – Barça’s defensive problems are forcing the left back to become Mr. Versatile. He played center back briefly in the middle of the week and was used as a right back here.
DEL Francisco Trincao, 6 – He prepared for Dembélé’s disallowed goal and lost the opportunity to score his first Barça goal when Messi fed him in the 90th minute.
FW Ousmane Dembélé, 6 – He had a goal disallowed for offside and crashed into the side net at the end.
MF Carlos Alena, N / R – He replaced the injured Lenglet, with De Jong descending to defense.
