Barcelona pulled off a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Osasuna to tighten their grip on a third successive Primera Division title while giving their opponents more to worry about as the visitors struggle to maintain their top flight status.The Catalan side produced a typically dominant display when holding the ball as the resurgent David Villa led the line in a starring role for the Catalans. Acting as the fulcrum of his team’s attacks, he created chances for his partners, Jeffren and Ibrahim Afellay though quick and clever passing interchanges.
For most of the evening Osasuna had to be content with just defending as Sergio Busquets took on the role of creator for the night in the absence of Xavi. Nonetheless the visitors did create a couple of half-chances that could have the injury-ravaged Barca slightly concerned ahead of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.
After an active start from the hosts the breakthrough came in the 24th minute courtesy of the all-time record Spanish goal scorer, who ended a personal drought of 11 games without a goal. Villa met an excellent left-footed cross from Jeffren and the striker slid to meet the ball at the six yard line and hand his team a deserved lead.
For all the hosts’ dominance though, a flurry of chances arrived for Los Rojillos just before the break. The first opportunity was instigated as Damia’s effort was superbly saved onto the post by an alert Victor Vales. The ‘keeper had to tip over another cross-cum-shot which was followed by a gilt-edged chance which was lashed at and ultimately went horribly wide as Barca were relieved to go in at half-time in the lead.
With the Catalonians slipping too far into the comfort zone for his liking, Guardiola was prompted to bring on Andres Iniesta for Jeffren for the second half. The hosts’ had still not re-asserted their earlier dominance as Sola and Javier Camunas giving cause for concern to the Camp Nou crowd, the latter almost surprising Valdes with a free-kick from a tight angle.
Guardiola was clearly not happy with the scoreline and when Lionel Messi and Xavi came on within minutes of each other, the urgency and probing re-emerged in the home side’s game. Iniesta ventured forward but saw his initial shot blocked. However Dani Alves was able to find the World Cup winner again lurking in the box but the Spaniard’s powerful drive just rose over the bar.
As the tempo had been raised, Osasuna could not live with the opposition and Barca doubled their advantage in the 87th minute. A clinical right foot finish under the body of Ricardo gave Messi his record-breaking 50th goal of the season to finally kill off the battling Los Rojillos.
The win means that Barcelona retain their eight point advantage at the top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid and with just five games remaining the title is theirs to lose. Meanwhile Osasuna are mired deeper in relegation trouble as they linger just two points above the dropzone.
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