Lionel Messi grabs two assists as Barcelona march on with victory at Osasuna in La Liga

Barcelona continued their rampant run of home kind to beat Osasuna 2-0 away from house on Saturday and transfer to inside two factors of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, with Lionel Messi organising objectives scored by Jordi Alba and teenager Ilaix Moriba.

Messi helped Barca take the lead on the half-hour mark when he carved open Osasuna’s defence with an excellent cross-field ball to Alba, who managed earlier than blasting into the roof of the web.

He then laid the ball off when 18-year-old midfielder Ilaix struck within the 83rd minute, producing a assured end contained in the publish from outdoors the world to attain his first objective for the membership in solely his third league look.

The victory adopted Barca’s heroic second leg comeback win over Sevilla to succeed in the Copa del Rey closing on Wednesday and notched a thirteenth league win in 16 video games, whereas they’re unbeaten since shedding at Cadiz on Dec. 5.

The Catalans keep second however moved on to 56 factors after 26 video games, two factors behind Atletico Madrid who’ve performed 24 matches and host third-placed Actual Madrid on Sunday. Osasuna are thirteenth on 28.

“We simply wanted to maintain on successful. It wasn’t our greatest efficiency however we performed nicely and we deserved the win,” stated Barca coach Ronald Koeman.

“We performed with a whole lot of power. We had been drained, however we put in an expert efficiency and scored two nice objectives. I am very completely satisfied, this can be a essential run and I hope we keep on this path.”

Maybe nonetheless feeling the results of the 3-0 win over Sevilla after further time, Barca took some time to settle and practically went behind within the second minute. They had been spared because of the primary of three spectacular saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The German needed to scurry again to cease an audacious try from Osasuna’s Jonathan Calleri, who went for objective from his personal half. He additionally made a really excellent save to disclaim Kike Barja later within the first interval, flying to his prime proper hand nook and throwing up his left hand to swat the ball away.

With Barca then main by Alba’s vicious strike, Ter Stegen rescued the guests for a 3rd time, denying midfielder Ruben Garcia from shut vary.

Having gone by a tumultuous marketing campaign on and off the pitch this season, issues are wanting up for Barca, who will elect a brand new president in Sunday’s election.

They then head to France searching for one other miraculous Champions League comeback in opposition to Paris St Germain for Wednesday’s last-16 second leg, seeking to overturn a 4-1 deficit.

“We’ve got to relaxation at times we’ll put together the sport. I do not wish to say it is inconceivable, and we’ll go there and attempt to get outcome,” Koeman added.