Attacking play wins the day

FC Barcelona beat Osasuna thanks to a late goal from Xavi Hernández and closed the gap at the top of the table against an opponent that made no effort to win the game for themselves.


Two different styles
Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Deco had the first chances of the game inside the first 15 minutes as Barça went out looking for an early goal. The collective play of the home team, which saw them use the flanks to good effect, ensured that the ball was continuously in and around the Osasuna penalty area. Nevertheless, the visitors held out and made it to the 20th minute without conceding as they broke up the play by complaining to the referee, time wasting and employing a catenaccio style of play. In the 26th minute they finally looked to break out and young Carlos Vela almost caught Víctor Valdés by surprise.



No breakthrough
Barcelona's play was flowing as thy went forward without stopping the game and could have taken the lead just before the half-hour mark when Andrés Iniesta saw his effort cleared off the line by Monreal. Thierry Henry, Bojan and Messi stood out as Barça dominated, but even though the home team were able to create around a dozen chances they were unfortunate to not see one make the breakthrough.

Little change
After the break little changed in terms of how the teams approached the game. But Osasuna appeared to become even more defensive and give up on and thoughts of attacking Barça's goal. With the freshness gone, the home team found it even more difficult to break down the wall of defenders and Giovani Dos Santos and Ronaldinho were introduced in place of Henry and Messi.



Fans unhappy
The Blaugrana began to find it complicated to reach Osasuna's area and as time went on, it appeared that visitors were going to be capable of taking something from the game. The home fans were unimpressed by the time wasting tactics of Cuco Ziganda's team and there was a big cheer when Ricardo was booked with 15 minutes remaining.

Xavi nets the winner
With the rain now coming down even more strongly, the pace quickened and Xavi and Deco in the midfield looked to try and use the conditions to their advantage by pressing the ball forward at even greater speed. The left sided pair of Éric Abidal and Giovani were coming more and more into the game and it was the number 17 that was one of the key players in the winning goal. In the 87th minute Giovani saw his shot saved by Ricardo and Xavi was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

The Camp Nou celebrated long and hard as Osasuna's tactics wrre finally proved not to have worked and suddenly the visitors wanted the game sped up. Barça were able to sit back and play out the final minutes and reignite the title race.



The goals :1-0, Xavi (min 87)