Barcelona’s impressive seven-game winning streak to start the La Liga season came to an abrupt end on Saturday, as they suffered a surprising 4-2 defeat at the hands of Osasuna. The loss, Barcelona’s first in domestic competition this season, was a stark reminder that even the best teams can stumble.
Manager Hansi Flick took full responsibility for the defeat, attributing it in part to his decision to rest key players. He acknowledged the need to manage the team’s busy schedule, but admitted that the rotations had an impact on the team’s performance. “I tried to protect the players, because they have been playing a lot of minutes. But I didn’t expect us to play like this. We made a lot of mistakes and Osasuna did well,” Flick said.
Osasuna, known for their potent counter-attacking style, capitalized on Barcelona’s vulnerabilities throughout the match. Ante Budimir scored a brace, while Bryan Zaragoza was a constant threat.
One particularly contentious moment occurred in the 28th minute when Zaragoza scored his second goal. The buildup to the goal saw Osasuna midfielder Lucas Torro stand on the foot of Barcelona’s Pau Victor, an action that was missed by both the referee and VAR. Barcelona players, notably Pedri, voiced their frustration at the missed foul.
Despite the defeat, Flick emphasized the importance of moving forward. “To score four goals against us is too much, but I’ve told the team that we have to keep going. It’s a busy schedule and we are on the right track.”
Barcelona will undoubtedly look to learn from this setback and regroup as they continue their La Liga campaign. The match highlights the importance of squad depth and the challenges that come with managing a busy schedule. While the defeat might be a disappointment, it serves as a valuable lesson for Barcelona as they aim for continued success this season.
