La Liga
Osasuna – Barcelona 1-2: Big excitement in Pamplona with Pedri and Rafinha
Despite falling behind in the 6th minute and Lewandowski being sent off in the 31st minute, Barcelona produced a huge turnaround in the second half as Pedri and Rafinha won 2-1 in Osasuna to move from Real to +5 switch.
Rayo gave Barcelona a wonderful gift on Monday night, beating Real 3-2 to leave the Catalans at the top, with Xavi’s side proving they are beyond unacceptable 24 hours later.
On the contrary, despite having his back against the wall for 45 minutes, getting back on the scoreboard and playing one man down due to Lewandowski’s suspension, he found the physical and mental reserves in the second and managed the turnaround (for the first) . For the first time in their 123-year history, they have won away in La Liga, lost and played numerically in the first-half final), won 2-1 and edged Real by five points.
The match
The start of the game was a dream for Osasuna as the hosts managed 4 finals in the first 15 minutes (none against Barcelona) and took the lead after just 6 minutes with a David Garcia header from a corner.
Xavi’s side showed signs of reaction after 20 minutes and in the 25th minute they had their first good moment when a shot from Lewandowski forced goalkeeper Aitor into action, but in the 31st minute their players’ legs were injured.
And that’s because Hill booked Mantano Lewandowski for a rough tackle on an opponent, the Pole’s second (he saw two yellows for Barcelona’s two fouls in the first 31 minutes), with “Leva” actually just being sent off was for the second time in his pro career.
In these conditions, Barcelona had to climb a mountain in the second half to turn things up and down and yet they did it, with the Catalans being determined and effective, scoring twice in a second half of wild beauty, plenty of tackles and only a few clean-shooting opportunities ahead of both teams.
In the 48th minute, Pedri brought the game to absolute balance with a shot deflected from the box following an Alba cross and the defenders’ inability to clear the stage, while the reversal came in the 85th minute.
Frankie De Jong rolled in a deep cross and Rafinha (78th substitute for Dembele) got behind Osasuna’s defense to result in Aitor’s offside to make it 2-1 for his team with his second goal against the Catalans in an official game.
A result that lasted until the final, with Barcelona now +5 on Real with a game in hand and heading into the league break as leaders, something hardly imaginable after the recent Clasico defeat.
OSASUNA: Aitor, Vidal, Unai Garcia, David Garcia, Kruth, Oroth (75′ Brasanac), Toro (59′ Pique), Moncayola, Gomet (84′ Barza), Avila (84′ Budimir), Ruben Garcia (75′ Pena)
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Balde, Christensen (74′ Gavi), Alonso, Alba, Pedri (89′ Riyadh), Busquets, De Jong, Dembele (78′ Rafinha), Lewandowski, Torres (78′ Fati)
The results of the 14th matchday:
- Elche Girona 1-2 (16′ Lirola / 39′ Martin, 66′ Castegianos)
- Sporty – Valladolid 3-0 (19′ 51′ Gurutheta, 78′ Vivian)
- Osasuna-Barcelona 1-2 (16′ David Garcia / 48′ Pedri, 85′ Rafinha)
- 09/11 20:00 Almeria – Getafe
- 09/11 20:00 Seville – Sociedad
- 09/11 21:00 Espanyol-Villarreal
- 09/11 22:30 Mallorca – Atlético
- 11.10. 20:00 Rayo Delta
- 11.10. 21:00 Valencia – Betis
- 11.10. 10:30 p.m Real Madrid – Cadiz
Source: sport 24
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
