Teenager Ilaix Moriba scored his first goal for Barcelona when Ronald Koeman’s side won 2-0 at Osasuna on Saturday to narrow the gap with La Liga leader Atletico Madrid to two points.
Report: Barca narrows gap at Atletico with win vs. Osasuna
In just his fifth appearance for the club, 18-year-old Ilaix hit from the edge of the penalty area seven minutes from time after being set up by Lionel Messi. Jordi Alba had opened the scoring in the first half and fired in from the left side of the penalty area after Messi played him in.
Barça was also indebted to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who made a series of fine saves as they expanded their unbeaten run in La Liga to 16 games.
Pros
Academy graduate Ilaix provided the feel-good factor while Barça kept its impressive form in the competition. Koeman has shown great confidence in him over the past week, pushing him through with the match in the balance at 1-0 by 25 minutes. He showed no sign of nervousness as he cut his man before making a good finish to round out the points for Barca at El Sadar, the same site where Ansu Fati scored his first goal for the Catalan club.
The three points felt especially important in the context of the midweek comeback against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-final. After that height, it would have been easy to take a dip, while also increasing the pressure on leader Atletico, who is in third place in the Derby against Real Madrid on Sunday.
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Negatives
The backlog whispered Barca, who needed a few big saves from Ter Stegen to keep them in front. They could easily have dropped points on another night. Alba was also fled late. Barca will hope it’s nothing, given its recent shape.
Manager rating out of 10
7 – Koeman deserves a lot of credit for giving Ilaix some minutes in big games.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes will not be rated)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 8 – Made some impressive saves. The stops to deny Kike Barja and Ruben Garcia were probably the highlights.
DF Clement Lenglet, 7 – Perhaps his best performance in 2021. Fought well against the Osasuna forwards and had confidence in the ball.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 5 – Booked for entering Roberto Torres in a dangerous area although Lenglet’s pass had failed him. Ascended halfway.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 7 – Another adult appearance as part of a back three in the first half and as one of the two central defenders after half time.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 – Came off after an hour after another solid display in the middle. Performs better with the protection of three center backs.
MF Pedri, 7 – Rarely made a mistake with the ball at his feet. Almost scored, but his shot from 18 yards was too close to Sergio Herrera.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 7 – Again, the Dutch international did not stop running. He fell back as Busquets left to build Barca’s attacks from deeper.
MF Jordi Alba, 8 – Scored his fifth goal of the campaign, equaling his highest ever total of the 2012-13 season. He is in excellent shape on the attack, benefiting from a great relationship with Messi, but also defending well.
MF Sergino Dest, 6 – Got some good positions on the right and got beating his marker, but hesitated when it came to the last ball.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 6 – Returned to the side after three games on the bench, but was unable to make a case for more regular football.
FW Lionel Messi, 8 – Set both goals and all of Barca’s attacks went through him, although urging his teammates to find him can often be a hindrance.
Substitutes
FW Ousmane Dembele, 6 – Reached half time, but missed a cutting edge in the last third.
MF Ilaix Moriba, 7 – Add some new energy to the midfield on a night he will never forget.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 6 – After coming to Griezmann he worked hard but had little luck in and around the area.
MF Riqui Puig, N / R – Replaced Pedri after the late goal from Ilaix.
DF Junior Firpo, N / R – Seen the last few minutes on left back.