SAN FRANCISCO, November 29, (THEWILL) –Â Frenchman Antoine Griezmann starred and Argentine ace Lionel Messi paid tribute to Diego Maradona at Camp Nou as Barcelona beat Osasuna 4-0 in their Sunday fixture.
Struggling domestically, head coach Ronald Koeman invoked Maradona sentiments and called on his players to produce a performance befitting the former Barca and Argentina star, who died this week.
The results show they did. Griezmann netted the pick of the goals in an improved performance against a side that took a 2-1 victory home at this ground in July.
The game began at a pace that was quickly dominated by the hosts. A brilliant goal-line clearance from centre back Unai Garcia stopped midfielder Philippe Coutinho from scoring the opener after Griezmann had teed up the Brazilian.
When the breakthrough eventually came, it was scrappy. But, Barca would not mind. Messi’s through ball split the Osasuna defence allowing Jordi Alba to link with Coutinho who fired first time. Goalkeeper Sergio Herrera saved his shot but Braithwaite was in place for a rebound, which he bundled over the line with Messi’s help.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Osasuna forward Ante Budimir turned past Barca goalie Marc-Andre ter Stegen and scored after the keeper’s brilliant double save. The goal did not stand as it was correctly ruled out for offside against midfielder Oier Sanjurjo.
The Barca advantage was doubled just two minutes later. Griezmann walloped a volley past the motionless Herrera after Alba’s cross, which had been cleared to the edge of the box, fell kindly for him.
The French forward, who was having the game of his season so far, turned provider 11 minutes into the second half. He teed up Coutinho for a tap-in after good work from Braithwaite to win back possession in the Osasuna half.
The only sore point for the Catalans in the game came in the 67th minute when they suffered another defensive injury. Centre back Clement Lenglet was unable to continue after apparently taking damage to his ankle in an aerial challenge with Osasuna forward Ruben Garcia.
Immediately after, substitute Roberto Torres rattled the post before French forward Ousmane Dembele had his goal ruled out for offside. But, Messi soon entered the scoresheet to make it 4-0 with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.
To celebrate, the Argentine removed his Barca shirt to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys jersey emblazoned with the number 10 that he had worn underneath for such a moment of homage to football and Argentina legend Diego Armando Maradona who died on Wednesday aged 60 and who played a season at Newell’s where Messi also played.
The Blaugrana move up to seventh place, three points behind champions Real Madrid in fourth, with a game in hand. Osasuna are 15th, three points above the relegation places.
Barca, who have already qualified for the UEFA Champions League last 16, will next take on Ferencvaros on Wednesday. Osasuna have a week to prepare for a home game against Real Betis.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
