La Liga: FC Barcelona 8-0 Osasuna: Match Review

FC Barcelona treated us to a spectacle, dismantling Osasuna time and time again on route to an 8-0 victory at the Camp Nou. Lionel Messi set the ball rolling, though a double from David Villa, an own-goal by Roversio, a volley by Cesc Fabregas, a chip by Xavi, and a further two from Lionel Messi (to complete his hat-trick) made it a historic win for the Blaugrana. Real Madrid must have been worried watching such a dominant performance.

To stop myself from rambling on for pages and pages, I am gonna cut straight to the chase. Guardiola implemented a 3-4-3 (I was right!), and chances followed.

It was just four minutes before FC Barcelona took the lead, with Sergio Busquets lifting the ball to the right-hand side of the penalty area, and Dani Alves was there to cushion a header across goal to Lionel Messi. End product? An easy finish, and Barcelona looked to be sending a statement after the consecutive draws.

David Villa had a long-range drive parried wide, and then Lionel Messi went on a mesmerising run, leaving three defenders in his wake before Fernandez made the save.

Thirteen minutes in, Lionel Messi received possession. Chipping the ball over the defense to Fabregas, and Cesc hit it on the volley left-footed past the keeper, and it was 2-0. Delightful football, and it looked so simple. Then, Messi tried another through ball to Cesc, and Fabregas again hit it first-time, but Fernandez was equal to it.

Mere minutes passed before another chance, La Pulga again the architect, and Eric Abidal the beneficiary. Swinging in a left-footed cross, Abidal rose unmarked, but his header thundered off the underside of the bar. So close for a player who only has two career goals.

Messi was the next to have a chance, as Alves fizzed in a cross, but his header rebounded off the inside of the post. Osasuna were shell-shocked. But it got worse. David Villa was released on the left hand side, and he rounded the keeper before finishing it off. 3-0 within a half-hour, exhibition stuff from the Blaugrana.

38 minutes, and it was 4-0, but this time Osasuna were unlucky. Villa again got free, but his shot was saved, though unfortunately, the rebound hit Roversio and rolled into the net. Comical stuff, though you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Osasuna.

Especially when Messi made it 5-0 just one minute later. Cesc Fabregas Cruyff-turned three defenders and when it was laid on a plate for Messi, the Manita was complete.

It was just half-time.

Second half, and it was more of the same, with Lionel Messi hitting the bar after dinking the ball over Fernandez. Though it was clear to see, Barcelona were just conserving energy, and if chances fell their way, it would be a bonus.

Again Lionel Messi lifted the ball over the top of the Osasuna defense and Xavi was there, and his chip was executed perfectly. It was six, all within an hour.

Shortly after, Xavi played a corner to the edge of the area and Dani Alves hit t on the volley. With thingsw going the way they were, it would not have been surprising to see it fly into the top corner, but it fizzed just wide. Alves then turned provider, setting up Messi and despite the super-human control, he could not finish, the hat-trick seemed to be out of reach.

Ibrahima went close for Osasuna before a shot rebounded off of him and over Valdes. Luck was not on his side though, as the assistant referee (correctly) called offside. When would it end?

Cesc Fabregas ensured it would not stop at six, as he went on a mazy run, aided by poor defending, before sending the ball across to David Villa for a tap-in. Unselfish play, and Fabregas has been a revelation since arriving.

This was enforced just two minutes later when he bounced a pass back to Messi who started the one-two, before La Pulga went on a mazy run and dispatched his shot into the bottom corner. It was his hat-trick and Barceloina’s eighth (8^th!).

Leo then chested a cross onto the bar in injury time, before the referee called an end. Arguably the best performance by a Barcelona team, Madrid has some act to follow.

In truth, Fernandez played very well in goal for Osasuna, and if not for him, the post, and the offside flag, Barca could have had 20. No joke, they were that good. If you could not watch the game, try and do so, it was simply magical by FC Barcelona.

Carles Puyol mentioned something about silencing the critics...didn’t quite expect this...