Osasuna 2-2 Barcelona
Barcelona lost points for the second time in three tours. The team is not in good condition and attack struggles without Messi. Grizmann could not have a significant impact on the game.
Osasuna scored in the first half and won first 45 minutes of the game. Barcelona could not hit even once on target during the first half. Valverde decided to change everything during the break, so Fati (16 years old wonder kid) got a chance. On the 52nd minute, Fati scored his first career goal for Barcelona, and after a few minutes, new substitute Arthur scored another goal for Catalans.
Until 80th minute, Barca controlled the game and had quite a high ball possession. In the last 10 minutes, Osasuna decided to attack, and they were awarded with a penalty. Pique played a hand-ball, and the referee decided to give a penalty. On 81st minute, Torres took advantage and scored.
Overall, Barcelona could not score the third goal to take three points from Pamplona. After the match, Barcelona’s players were furious about the bad performance.
Pique talked about the hand-ball
After the match, Pique said that referee got a wrong decision. Pique said that he played with the hand, but it was not a penalty. Defender mentioned new rules we got in the football world. Gerard said that he could not take a hand from the ball because of small distance. Pique: “I was jumping high, and hand was in a natural position.”
The former referee and Marca’s expert, Andujar Oliver says that it was a clear foul. Oliver mentions that Pique’s hand was in an unnatural position while jumping high. So, the penalty award was a correct decision.
The curious case of Rakitic
Valverde trains Barca’s first team for two seasons already. Croatian footballer was Valverde’s most trusted player. New-season starts, and everything changes in Valverde’s mind. As it seems, the coach is not satisfied with the physical condition of the player.
After the match press conference, Valverde said that he trusts the squad. The coach said: “It was a terrible game, but we will learn from mistakes.”
As the journalists report, Rakitic was sitting on the bench because of the transfer. Barcelona is still trying to convince Neymar and PSG. Rakitic could be a key factor of Neymar’s come back. Two days left till the end of the transfer window, and both giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid are after Brazilian attacker.