The teenager Ilaix Moriba scored his first goal for Barcelona, when Ronald Koeman’s team won 2-0 at Osasuna on Saturday to reduce the gap on Atletico Madrid, the leader of La Liga, to two points.
Report: Barca have a narrow gap at Atletico with a win against Osasuna
In just his fifth appearance for the club, 18-year-old Ilaix struck off the edge seven minutes ahead of time after being drafted by Lionel Messi. Jordi Alba opened the scoring in the first half and fired to the left of the box after Messi played him.
Barca also owed a lot of thanks to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who made a series of good saves when they stretched their unbeaten run in La Liga to 16 games.
Positive
Academy graduate Ilaix provided the feel-good factor as Barca retained their impressive form in the league. Koeman has shown a lot of confidence in him over the past week and has thrown himself with the match hanging in the balance at 25-0. He showed no nervousness when he cut his man in before having a good finish to win the points for Barca at El Sadar, the same field where Ansu Fati scored his first goal for the Catalan club.
The three points felt especially important in the context of the midweek match against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey semi-final. It would have been easy to dive to that high point, while also facing the pressure on front-runner Atletico, who face the Derby in the Derby on Sunday.
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Negative
The leaderboard flattered Barca, who needed some big saves from Ter Stegen to keep them ahead. On another night, they could have easily dropped points. Alba was also picked up later with a knock. Barca will hope it’s nothing, given its recent form.
Driver rating out of 10
7 – Koeman deserves a lot of credit for giving Ilaix a few minutes in big games.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players launched after 70 minutes will not receive a rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 8 – Made several impressive saves. The points to deny Kike Barja and Ruben Garcia were probably the standouts.
DF Clement Lenglet, 7 – Perhaps his best performance in 2021. Fought well against the Osasuna attackers and was full of confidence.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 5 – Booked for Roberto Torres’ clatter in a dangerous area, though Lenglet’s pass sold him short. Decreased at rest.
DF Oscar Mingueza, 7 – Another adult performance as part of a back three in the first half and as one of two centers after the break.
MF Sergio Busquets, 6 – After an hour came down to another solid show in the middle. Perform better with the protection of three centers.
MF Pedri, 7 – Rarely made a mistake with the ball at his feet. Hardly pressed, but his shot from 18 yards out was too close to Sergio Herrera.
MF Frenkie de Jong, 7 – Once again, the Dutch international did not stop running. Busquets retreated to build Barca’s attacks deeper.
MF Jordi Alba, 8 – Achieved his fifth goal of the campaign, which corresponds to his highest total ever of the 2012-13 season. He is very good in attack, where he benefits from an excellent relationship with Messi, but also defends well.
MF Sergino Dest, 6 – You got some good positions on the right side and beat his marker, but he hesitated with the final ball.
FW Antoine Griezmann, 6 – Returned to the side after three games on the bench but could not make a case for more regular football.
FW Lionel Messi, 8 – Set both goals and all of Barca’s attacks have gone through him, although the insistence of his teammates to look for him can often be an obstacle.
Substitutes
FW Ousmane Dembele, 6 – Came with rest time, but a lead in the last third quarter.
MF Ilaix Moriba, 7 – On that night, he added fresh energy to an evening he will never forget.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 6 – Worked hard after arriving for Griezmann but had little luck in and around the area.
MF Riqui Puig, N / R – Pedri was replaced after Ilaix’s late goal.
DF Junior Firpo, N / R – Given the last few minutes on left wing.