Barcelona got back to winning ways against Osasuna on an emotional Sunday afternoon, beating the visitors 4-0 at Camp Nou thanks to a Lionel Messi masterclass.
La Blaugrana took the lead on the half-hour mark, when Martin Braithwaite bundled the ball over the line after some great interplay between Messi and Jordi Alba. Antoine Griezmann doubled the advantage 12 minutes later, racing onto a high ball dropping from the sky and crashing an unstoppable volley beyond the goalkeeper.
A PHENOMENAL hit from Antoine Griezmann! ?
He couldn’t have struck it any sweeter than that ? pic.twitter.com/JAt0y8iRQS
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) November 29, 2020
Barça continued their dominance in the second half, with Philippe Coutinho tapping home from an unselfish Griezmann cutback to make it 3-0.
Messi left his mark on proceedings to notch the fourth on 72 minutes, crashing a strike into the net from the edge of the box and removing his jersey to reveal a Newell’s Old Boys shirt beneath it, in honour of national compatriot Diego Maradona.
Let’s take a look at the Barcelona player ratings from an entertaining afternoon at Camp Nou.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK) – 7/10 – Pulled off an absolutely insane double save which ultimately counted for little as the offside flag was raised. Still, mental.
Sergino Dest (RB) – 7/10 – Overlapped beyond Messi when presented with the opportunity, and used his pace to create space for the Argentine. Little to do at the back.
Oscar Mingueza (CB) – 7/10 – A nice, steady game to settle in. Mingueza looked like a classic Barcelona academy product: classy and tidy in possession and comfortable with the ball at his feet. Easy.
Clement Lenglet (CB) – 7/10 – The experienced head at the heart of the defence and snuffed out any danger with typical ruthlessness. Substituted due to injury as defensive issues pile up.
Jordi Alba (LB) – 8/10 – Rolled back the years to race onto a Messi ball, flew down that left flank and put in a dangerous cross. Had little defensive work to do, so mainly resided in the opposition’s half.
Frenkie de Jong (CM) – 8/10 – Some lovely movements floating and drifting around the midfield. The only real central midfielder in the side, so needed to command from the middle. Did so excellently.
Pedri (CM) – 6/10 – A square peg in a round hole, and didn’t look comfortable at all. Particularly lightweight in physical battles, which occur much more regularly in central positions. Subbed at half-time, no surprise.
Antoine Griezmann (CAM) – 8/10 – WHAT A HIT SON, WHAT A HIT! Griezmann hammered his name onto the score sheet with a brilliant volley, and looked so comfortable playing in his usual number 10 role. Assisted the third goal, too.
Lionel Messi (RW) – 8/10 – A joy to watch. Opened up the Osasuna defence with a brilliant cross-field ball to Jordi Alba. Much more involved back on the right-hand side. Smashed in a brilliant strike for the fourth and showed real class with his celebration. Maradona would’ve been proud of that one.
Martin Braithwaite (ST) – 7/10 – Bundled the ball over the line to give Barça the lead. Lovely build up, ugly finish, but they all count. Not up to the necessary quality, but gave the team a focal point to play off. Important.
Philippe Coutinho (LW) – 8/10 – Should have opened the scoring with the goal at his mercy, but saw his effort blocked by a sprawling defender. Sent a cushioned half-volley just over the bar, too. Finally got his goal from close range. Couldn’t miss, really.
IN: Trincão, @JuniorFirpo03, @Dembouz
OUT: @MartinBraith, @sergino_dest, @Phil_Coutinho pic.twitter.com/HoZ1jvArQa— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 29, 2020
Sergio Busquets (CM) – 7/10
Ousmane Dembele (RW) – 7/10
Junior Firpo (LB) – 6/10
Trincao (LW) – 6/10
Carles Alena (CM) – 6/10
Let’