Osasuna 2-2 Barcelona: 3 players that impressed for the Blaugrana | LaLiga 2019/2020

CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona - La Liga
CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Barcelona would head into the international break in less than ideal circumstances, having failed to pick up all three points against Osasuna.

A first half goal by Ruben Torres had put the home ahead, but despite clawing back to head into the lead, Barcelona failed to hold onto all three points, meaning the Catalans have picked up just four points from their opening three LaLiga fixtures.

Even though they failed to pick up all three points owing to the underperformance of a number of their key players, there were still some who shone at the Estadio El Sadaar.

There are the three players who were most impressive in the 2-2 draw with Osasuna.

#3 Arthur Melo

CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona - La Liga
CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona - La Liga

In his debut season with Barcelona, Arthur Melo was one of the standout players and earned widespread positive reviews for his displays from the middle of the park.

However, things have been far less rosy this season, as the arrival of Frenkie de Jong and deployment of Sergi Roberto in midfield means that the Brazilian international has had far less playing time.

Heading into the game against Osasuna, Arthur was yet to feature for Barcelona for a single minute, and once again started the game from the bench.

He was introduced for Rafinha in the 53rd minute and needed just nine minutes to make his mark on the game.

The former Gremio man picked up the ball from Carles Perez on the edge of the box and showed great skill and technique to evade challenges from two Osasuna defenders before rifling into the far left corner of Ruben's goal.

For the rest of the match, he played a role in helping to lift the tempo of Barcelona's play, and his display against Osasuna served as a timely reminder of his abilities.

#2 Ansu Fati

Fati became Barcelona's youngest LaLiga goalscorer
Fati became Barcelona's youngest LaLiga goalscorer

Last week, Ansu Fati made headlines around the world when he made his debut aged just 16 years and 297 days to become Barcelona's second youngest LaLiga debutant and the youngest since 1941.

Fati is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in La Masia at the moment, and big things are expected of him, and having signed a new deal with the Blaugrana over the summer, it is expected that he would play a major role in the first team squad this season.

The injuries sustained by Barcelona's frontline has thrust him into the spotlight perhaps faster than he would have expected, but having been given a brief but impressive cameo last time out against Real Betis, Fati was afforded more minutes in Pamplona.

Barcelona found themselves 1-0 down at half-time to Osasuna, with their first half play largely disjointed and it served as a major belief in his abilities that Ernesto Valverde turned to the youngster to turn things around, sending him on in place of Nelson Semedo during the interval.

Five minutes later, Fati rewarded his coach's faith, as he rose above Nacho Vidal to head Barcelona level.

The goal made him the third youngest goalscorer in LaLiga history, and the youngest for Barcelona, and at this rate, Fati could go on to become a Barcelona mainstay for many years to come.

#1 Carles Perez

CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona - La Liga
CA Osasuna v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Like Ansu Fati, Carlez Perez is also a La Masia trained forward, but unlike the 16-year-old, he has been with the Barcelona B team for the last three seasons and made to the senior team towards the end of last season.

Having sent a statement of intent with his displays during pre-season, the 21-year-old Perez was fast-tracked into the first team and has made an appearance in each of Barcelona's three LaLiga fixtures till date, starting against Bilbao from the bench and installed into the starting 11 last time out.

Carles Perez scored his first senior goal against Real Betis and was rewarded for his fine performance with another start against Osasuna, and despite not getting on the scoresheet, Perez impressed with his all-round performance upfront.

He was unarguably the brightest spark in what was a lethargic Barcelona attack at Osasuna, showing a willingness to take on defenders and shoot from distance when afforded the opportunity.

It was off his pin-point cross that Ansu Fati headed Barcelona level, while he also laid on the pass for Arthur to put Barcelona ahead.

Though Perez would likely drop back to the bench once Valverde has the full complement of his attack, his displays in their absence shows that he is more than willing to stake a claim for a regular shirt.

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Edited by Kingshuk Kusari