Barcelona 1-2 Osasuna: 5 Hits and Flops as Blaugrana suffer calamitous defeat at the Camp Nou | La Liga 2019-20

Osasuna compounded Barcelona's misery
Osasuna compounded Barcelona's misery

#3 Flop - Martin Braithwaite

Martin Braithwaite has not scored in over a month for Barcelona.
Martin Braithwaite has not scored in over a month for Barcelona.

Martin Braithwaite started for the first time in seven games tonight and had a forgettable shift in the final third, as he failed to add to Barcelona's attack going forward.

He got dispossessed often and most importantly, failed to link well with Messi, who was forced to pass to Sergi Roberto or back to Semedo instead. Braithwaite's first touch and movement off the ball was also very poor.


#2 Hit - Jose Arnaiz

Jose Arnaiz constantly tested the Barcelona defence with his pace and intelligent movement
Jose Arnaiz constantly tested the Barcelona defence with his pace and intelligent movement

The former Barcelona player came back to haunt his former club as he broke the deadlock in the fixture with a fine finish to beat Ter Stegen at his near post.

Arnaiz proved to be a nuisance for Barcelona defenders throughout the game until he was substituted in the 71st minute. The Spaniard even forced the Barcelona goalkeeper into action early on when he struck a powerful shot.

He was full of energy in the final third and was willing to make the runs to meet the passes. The 25-year-old almost teed up his teammate Moncayola in the 22nd minute for the second goal, but the attacking midfielder's curling effort went just wide of the post.


#1 Hit - Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi was once again the only bright spark for Barcelona
Lionel Messi was once again the only bright spark for Barcelona

Lionel Messi continued his fine form with Barcelona as he scored his 23rd goal of the season to pull the hosts back in the game, only for them to concede in injury time.

Barcelona only looked dangerous when the 33-year-old had the ball at his feet, as he always found the perfect pass for his teammates despite being heavily marked. In the first-half, he stayed out of the box and got involved more in the buildup, letting Braithwaite and Fati move into dangerous positions.

With a well-organised Osasuna defence, it was very difficult for the Blaugrana to create opportunities from open play. Even the ones they had were wasted because of their lack of decisiveness in front of the goal.

Thus, Messi had to try his luck from free-kicks and after three failed attempts, he produced yet another moment of magic for the equaliser.

As has been the case for the majority of the campaign, he lacked support in the final third and was tasked with single-handedly creating chances for his side.

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