Perhaps it was the Reino de Navarra Stadium. Or perhaps it was Osasuna's defensive control. Either way, Barcelona FC, at first place in the Spanish League, drew a 1-1 tie with Osasuna on Saturday, during the ninth round of the Spanish League BBA. Despite the draw, Barça maintains its lead -- by one point -- over Real Madrid, which has 22 points after a 2-0 win against Getafe. Osasuna is at 10th place in the standings with 12 points. Barça, which had faced a brief lull in its Spanish League takeover this season, entered the match coming off a sound 6-1 thrashing of Real Zaragoza. The team applied the pressure early on in an attempt to gain a quick lead. And initially, the heat was on -- Lionel Messi already gained a chance to score in minute 2. But Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo, who gave an outstanding performance throughout the match, saved the shot and sent the ball to the corner.
As the minutes passed, however, Osasuna began increasing the pressure. The team was able to control two of Barcelona's most potent strikers, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The team was effectively hamstrung, unable to continue play at its customary elite level. Osasuna continued pressing hard by putting far ahead of the defensive line, so Barça was forced to play outside of Osasuna's area. By the end of a scoreless first half, Osasuna had enjoyed far more opportunities to score than their famed rivals.
In the second half, the tone of the game remained the same: a Barcelona that seemed lost on the field, lacking consistency, and an Osasuna pushing forward and trying to take advantage of the few chances of goal.
The score finally opened at minute 72, when a combination of footwork from Messi and Puyol ended with a shot from Seydou Keyta, putting the Catalans ahead 1-0.
The goal brought back a much-needed confidence for Barcelona; the team was able to play more fluid soccer. Barça moved the ball faster and created more opportunities to extend the lead, especially with the resurgence of Messi, who was able to threaten goalkeeper Ricardo more than once.
As the game rounded to a close, the Osasuna crowd spurred its team forward, creating agonizing pressure for a goal. Then, in minute 93, Osasuna got lucky. After a center pass from Camuñas, Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué kicked the ball into his own goal. Play ended, the game closed, and the score was tied 1-1.
Barça coach Pep Guardiola stated that, despite the last minute goal, he was proud of his team's work. Guardiola also gave credit to Osasuna, who played a strong game.
"It is frustrating especially as it was so late in the game, but these things can happen," Guardiola said of Osasuna's point. "It feels uncomfortable not to win when you have been so close. We knew that they would press us, but we controlled their play.
We have lost two points, but I am happy with our performance," added Guardiola.
Now Barcelona is preparing for the mid-week Champions League game against the Russian champions, Rubin Kazan, on Wednesday. Barça is hoping to avenge last month's 2-1 defeat and improve in the Champions League standings.
Keywords: Spanish League, soccer, La Liga, Barcelona, Osasuna, sportsbook, Champions League, Pep Guardiola
