In a surprising upset, Osasuna handed Barcelona their first La Liga defeat of the season with a 4-2 victory at El Sadar.
Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, faced criticism for his decision to field a youthful lineup, which struggled against Osasuna’s well-organized counterattacks and solid defense.
The loss not only ended Barcelona’s winning streak but also raised concerns about Flick’s tactical choices and his approach to squad rotations.
With a congested schedule and multiple injuries to key players, Flick opted for heavy rotation, starting youngsters like Cubarsí, Sergi Domínguez, Gerard Martín, Pablo Torre, and Pau Víctor.
However, the gamble didn’t pay off. Despite dominating possession with over 70%, Barcelona failed to convert their control into clear scoring opportunities.
Osasuna, on the other hand, executed their game plan to perfection. They maintained a compact defensive structure, frustrating Barcelona’s attack and denying any serious threat to goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. Meanwhile, their quick counterattacks exploited Barcelona’s inexperienced defense.
Osasuna took the lead early when Bryan Zaragoza, who had previously troubled Barcelona, delivered a precise cross for Budimir to head home.
Just ten minutes later, Zaragoza found the back of the net again, coolly finishing past Iñaki Peña after a superb through ball from Ibáñez.
Despite Barcelona’s protests over a possible foul on Pau Víctor during the buildup, the goal stood, and Osasuna entered halftime with a commanding 2-0 lead.
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