After entering 2024, Barcelona has a very difficult time, the Spanish Super Cup final was defeated by Real Madrid 1-4, the Copa del Rey was blocked out of the semi-finals, and last weekend was reversed by the Yellow Submarine 3-5 at home, three fronts collapsed one after another, 11 points behind the league leader, Xavi could no longer hold back, announced the end of the season and left. After a few days of rest, Barcelona ushered in the 20th round of supplementary matches, sitting at home to Osasuna. Lewandowski squandered opportunities in a row, and 18-year-old new recruit Roque came off the bench to score for 2 minutes, and Barcelona narrowly defeated the opponent 1-0, ending two consecutive defeats in all competitions.
Continuing to sit at home, Xavi also set up a 4-3-3 formation, with the sluggish Peña continuing to guard the goal, the defensive quartet of Jules Kounde, Araujo, Cancelo and the 17-year-old Cubasi, Gundogan, De Jong and Pedri in midfield, Lewandowski in front, Yamal and Ferran Torres on either side.
As the saying goes, blessings are incomparable, and disasters are not singular. After just seven minutes of error, Ferran Torres strained his thigh and couldn't continue the game, and he burst into tears on the spot, so Xavi had to passively use up a substitution, and Fermín Lopes came off the bench. In the 12th minute, Barcelona won a set-piece in front, Pedri's cross was just right, and Lewandowski jumped high to head the ball wide.
In the 17th minute, Cancelo used his personal ability to swing the ball from the left side and crossed, Lewandowski grabbed the point in front of the goal and missed the opportunity again. Lewandowski's efficiency has dropped significantly this season, scoring just eight goals in 20 league appearances. Barca were less dominant, with their trademark passing turned into fancy punches and could only threaten through crosses and set-pieces.
In the 26th minute, Osasuna's quick counterattack, Anais received a pass from his teammates, strode forward with the ball, and fell in the box under Araujo's defense. Araujo pressed the opponent's ankle, but the referee was merciful and refused to award a penalty, and Barcelona escaped.
In the 35th minute, Yamal broke through on the right and was destroyed, Gundogan crossed from a corner, and Kounde's header in front of the goal was headed high again. In the 43rd minute, it was Gundogan's corner cross, Lewandowski fought for the top to no avail, and Fermin Lopes followed up with a volley and shot high.
In the first 45 minutes, Barcelona had 70% possession and created nine shots on goal, but unfortunately only one on target, and the two teams returned to the dressing room with a 0-0 scoreline.
After returning to the pitch, Barcelona continued to score pointsless, and in the 62nd minute, Yamal broke through the cross, Lewandowski missed the opportunity again, Xavi immediately replaced Fermin Lopes with Roque, and the effect was immediate. In the 64th minute, De Jong split the ball at the front of the penalty area, Cancelo inserted it on the left, and a pass with the outside instep was just right, and Roque's header went into the far corner, 1-0!
At the age of 18, Roque joined Barcelona in the winter window and waited five games before finally scoring his maiden goal and repaying Xavi's trust. After falling behind by one goal, Osasuna became impatient, and in the 67th minute, Unai Garcia was recklessly fouled and received a second yellow card, leaving 10 men to play.
In the 71st minute, there was another controversy on the field, Roque forced a breakthrough and was thrown down, and fell to the ground in the penalty area, but the referee always refused to award a penalty. Five minutes later, Roque was tackled in midfield and the referee signalled for play to continue, with Osasuna counter-attacking and Raul Garcia pushing just wide in front of goal.
In the 77th minute, Barcelona's defense was leaky, Moncayola burst into the box with a cold arrow, and Peña flew to save the ball. In the 80th minute, Lewandowski received a wonderful pass from his teammates and single-handedly pushed the far corner to the next goal, but unfortunately it was offside.
Barcelona had the last laugh 1-0 to make it five wins in a row against Osasuna and beat their opponents twice this season. In addition, Barcelona also ended a two-game losing streak in all competitions and temporarily moved up to third place in the standings, eight points away from Girona.