Barça wins, but does not break free

Barça emerged victorious against Osasuna, but their struggles continue. Xavi’s team secured a narrow win thanks to a goal from Vitor Roque, but they failed to dominate against a ten-man opponent in the second half.

Their inability to dominate the match, once again, resulted in a tense finish, with Osasuna’s goalkeeper pushing forward in the dying moments to try and salvage a late equalizer. Despite the victory, injuries continue to plague the team, with Ferran Torres becoming the latest player to join the list of casualties.

Xavi had hoped that his announcement of departure would ease the pressure on his players and allow them to perform better. However, the first half of the game remained lackluster for the Blaugrana.

To compound their woes, they also suffered another muscle injury, as Ferran Torres had to leave the field early in the match. His emotional reaction suggested that it could be a serious setback. His absence will be a blow for Xavi, as Torres has been in great form recently.

Torres joins a long list of injured players, including Íñigo Martínez, Ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Balde, Gavi, Balde, Raphinha, Sergi Roberto, and Joao Félix. Some may return soon, but the lack of personnel in attack forced Xavi to rely on Fermín as a replacement. The young midfielder showed promise and enthusiasm on the pitch.

Osasuna adopted a defensive approach, limiting their attacking opportunities. They were unable to capitalize on the few chances they had, and even protested for a penalty that was not given.

Barça’s best chances to break the deadlock came from set pieces, but they were unable to convert. Fermín, despite his energy, unintentionally thwarted his own shot, adding to their frustrations.

In the second half, Barça showed signs of improvement, but their offensive struggles persisted. Xavi made a substitution, bringing on Vitor Roque, who made an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal. The fans, who had previously chanted Xavi’s name, were ecstatic.

Osasuna did not retreat after going down to ten men and launched dangerous attacks. They came close to equalizing with shots hitting the post and being saved by the Barça goalkeeper. Lewandowski’s disallowed goal further added to the uncertainty in the closing moments.