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Barcelona travelled to the El Sadar stadium to face Osasuna looking to extend their good form in the league. After losing their first game of the new season, the Blaugrana had been under substantial pressure last weekend. However, an Antoine Griezmann masterclass ensured that Barcelona won 5-2 against Real Betis at the Camp Nou. Ernesto Valverde still had a few lingering issues with his squad and the biggest problem being the injury concerns.
Visits to El Sadar Stadium have always been tricky for the reigning La Liga Champions. Valverde knew that he needed shrewd planning to keep his team's momentum going.
Barcelona Starting XI: Marc Ter Stegen; Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto; Rafinha, Antoine Griezmann, Rafinha
The visitors were in for a shock when Osasuna took the lead after 7 minutes through Roberto Torres Morales' left-footed volley. Barcelona went into the break with the score 0-1 and a lot of work to be done. At the break, Valverde decided to bring on young Ansu Fati in place of Nelson Semedo, and the teenager scored within 6 minutes of the restart.
Arthur Melo was introduced next in place of Rafinha and the Brazilian made it 2-1 for the away side in the 64th minute. When it looked like Barcelona were going to secure all three points, the home side won a penalty after Pique handled the ball in the box. Roberto Torres stepped up once again and scored from the spot to help his team earn a point.
While it would have been frustrating for Valverde to draw against a side who were recently promoted, he would be delighted with the performance of the La Masia kids.
On that note, here are the three players who impressed for Barcelona.
#3 Carles Perez
Carles Perez endured a quiet first half but picked up pace after the break. He set up the first goal by providing a cross to Ansu Fati, who scored to draw Barcelona level. 3 minutes later, the Spaniard set up Arthur Melo to give his team the lead. Perez's diagonal run was vital for the move, as he opened up the space for the Brazilian to score the goal.
The Spaniard had a glorious opportunity to give Barcelona the lead in the 88th minute after Arthur set him up with a fantastic through ball. However, Perez's indecision squandered the opportunity and the game ended in a draw.
#2 Ansu Fati
The teenager had made headlines last weekend, after coming on late against Real Betis for his debut for Barcelona.
The youngster was on the bench again against Osasuna, hoping that he could get another run with the first team. And after Barcelona went into the break 0-1 down, Valverde had another important decision to make. The visitors were lacking in the final third of the pitch and the Spaniard opted to make a few changes to the team. He replaced Nelson Semedo with Ansu Fati, with Sergi Roberto moving to the right back position and the young striker taking up the left forward position. 6 minutes later, Ansu Fati made history.
Following a cross from Carles Perez, the Bissau-Guinean rose the highest and headed the ball to the back of the net. Barcelona were back in the game and in the process, Ansu Fati had become the youngest Barcelona player ever to score a league goal.
#1 Arthur Melo
Just like last weekend, the Brazilian found himself on the bench once more, as Valverde eased him back from injury. At home against Real Betis, the Spaniard had opted not to use Arthur Melo, as Barcelona cruised to a 5-2 victory. Against Osasuna though, the story was entirely different.
The Catalans were missing the guile and penetration from the middle of the park that was required to break down a resolute Osasuna defense. Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto failed to have an impact in the first half and Valverde opted to change things around right after Barcelona scored the equalizer. He took off Rafinha and introduced Arthur, who had an instant impact in the game.
The Brazilian took charge in the midfield and his passing and movement unsettled the home side. Arthur had been outstanding for the Catalans last season but needed to add a goalscoring edge to his game. Within a minute of coming on, though, he took a pass from Carles Perez, brilliantly carved out some space in the box and curled one into the far corner to give his team the lead.
Arthur continued to dictate terms for Barcelona after giving them the lead. He churned out quite a few chances for his team, however, the forward players were guilty of missing clear cut chances, which resulted in the draw.
