Three takeaways from Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona | La Liga MD34

However, the much-valued win now leaves them within touching distance of the league title. Barça Universal brings you three takeaways from Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona. A largely dull affair Barcelona’s league campaign this season is more dominant than their title-winning run last season, but there is one stark difference between the two.

The side is more consistent in the competition this season and has learnt the art of winning without necessarily playing the most attractive football. In recent weeks, they have ground out hard-fought wins and last night was no different. For close to 70 minutes on the night, Barcelona’s performance was nothing exciting and presented a rather dull and slow affair, with Osasuna playing as equals.

The Catalans did maintain more possession, but nothing meaningful came of that dominance in the entire first half. There was no incisive passing, exciting dribbling or opening up of channels against the Espanyol defence. Needless to say, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha’s absence had a massive part to play in how dull the team looked in attack and the game last night made it clear how vital both players are to Barcelona’s attack.

Getting the job done without them, in that sense, is massive for Barcelona but it is also clear that the team look unrecognisable without them on the field. Flick’s game-changing substitutions Ferran Torres made an impact from the bench. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Hansi Flick’s starting lineup against Osasuna saw Roony Bardghji and Fermin Lopez start as the wingers, Dani Olmo as the attacking midfielder and Robert Lewandowski as a striker.