'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Goals in each half from Jordi Alba and Ilaix Moriba helped Barcelona post a routine 2-0 away victory over Osasuna at El Sadar.
Blaugrana came into the game on the back of their morale-boosting victory over Sevilla on Wednesday that saw them progress to the final of the Copa del Rey.
Manager Ronald Koeman made two changes from the side that saw off the Andalusians, with Samuel Umtiti coming in for the injured Gerard Pique, while Antoine Griezmann replaced compatriot Ousmane Dembele.
The hosts started on the stronger foot, with Jonathan Calleri acting as the chief instigator of Osasuna's attacking moves.
Trending
Barcelona slowly regained control of the game and Lionel Messi was expectedly the brightest spark for the visitors.
The Argentina international was fouled by Sergio Herrera when he ran through on goal. Referee Guillermo Cuadra subsequently brandished a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
However, the VAR intervened and determined that Messi was offside in the build-up, leading to the rescinding of the red card.
Osasuna almost broke the deadlock soon after when Calleri's shot ricocheted off Umtiti and behind for a corner kick.
It was, however, Barcelona who went ahead on the half-hour mark. Messi dropped back into midfield and sent a now-routine through pass into the path of Jordi Alba. The Spain international raced into the box before rifling into the back of the net from an acute angle.
Osasuna responded well to going behind and fashioned some notable chances before half-time but met an immovable object in Ter Stegen.
Ousmane Dembele came on for Umtiti at halftime, while Messi forced Herrera into a smart save right at the start of the second half.
Premium chances were few and far between for most of a rather tepid second half, compared to the exciting end-to-end action witnessed in the first.
It was practically one-way traffic, with Barcelona asking all the questions and dominating possession.
They secured a second goal when substitute Ilaix Moriba was teed up by Messi on the edge of the area. The 18-year-old set himself up brilliantly before rifling a left-footed thunderbolt that could only be parried into the back of the net by Herrera.
This was no less than Barcelona deserved for their controlled display in the second half and the win saw them move to within two points of leaders Atletico Madrid.
Here are five talking points from the fixture.
#5 Barcelona's brilliant run in La Liga continues
At first glance, it might not seem like Barcelona are currently on an impressive unbeaten run in La Liga, owing to their inconsistencies throughout the season.
However, the Catalans have not suffered a defeat in the league since they were on the wrong end of a 2-1 reversal away to Cadiz on 5 December, 2020.
It is a run that has seen them go 16 games without defeat in La Liga, with just three draws recorded in that sequence.
Only Manchester City with 21 games unbeaten (19 wins, two draws) are on a longer sequence without defeat in Europe's top five leagues at the moment.
Despite Osasuna's inspired performance, Barcelona were fairly comfortable in the overall balance of play and their unbeaten run in La Liga was never truly threatened.
#4 Barcelona primely placed to take advantage of any slips by the capital side
Just over a month ago, it looked like Atletico Madrid were primed to run away with a first league title since 2014. But Los Colchoneros have faltered in recent weeks, setting the stage for one of the tightest title races in recent memory.
With just 12 matchdays to go, all of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico are still in with a shout at holding the title aloft come May.
With the Madrid derby set to take place at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, one or both of Barcelona's direct rivals are guaranteed to drop points which will make for even smaller margins at the summit.
Having registered a routine victory in Pamplona, Blaugrana will be keeping an eye on results in the capital, safe in the knowledge that their victory puts them in prime position to take advantage of any slip-ups.
#3 Ilaix Moriba breaks his duck for Barcelona
Ilaix Moriba is widely regarded as one of the brightest sparks in the current Barcelona academy, which led to him signing a contract with a buyout clause of €100m in 2019.
He made his La Liga debut in the 5-1 victory over Alaves - a game where Moriba experienced the full range of emotions in professional football by providing an assist and committing an error that led to a goal.
The 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba owing to their similar stature and playing style.
Having started the game against Osasuna on the bench, Moriba entered the fray in the 67th minute for Sergio Busquets and made his mark on the game soon after.
The composure and technique needed to skip past the challenge of Oscar Garcia before rifling home the second goal of the night underlined why the Barcelona youngster is rated so highly.
For fans seeking similarities, both Moriba and Ansu Fati's first goals for Blaugrana came against Osasuna at the same end of the field.
With the Spain international having already established himself as a key player before his unfortunate injury, fans will be hoping that Moriba can tow the same path.
#2 What next for Riqui Puig?
La Masia has produced an abundance of quality talent over the years and the current crop are no different.
Riqui Puig emerged in the latter months of Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona career and many believed he would be a long-term option in the Blaugrana midfield.
However, competition for places in the Blaugrana first-team is extremely tough and Puig has not had the career trajectory many projected in the last two years.
Ronald Koeman explicitly told him that he would be best served by going out on loan but Puig insisted on remaining at his boyhood club to fight for his place.
Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, the 21-year-old has simply not gotten enough playing time, with Koeman seemingly not a fan of the La Masia graduate.
Puig has made just eight appearances in La Liga, a total of just over 184 minutes, with only two starts made in the league.
The emergence of Moriba has pushed him further down the pecking order and this is far from ideal for Puig's development considering that he will be turning 22 at the start of next season.
While an ideal world would see Puig fight for and most likely win his spot at Barcelona, the current reality suggests that his career might be best served by a move away from Camp Nou.
#1 Despite not scoring, influential Lionel Messi still played a key role in securing the victory
Lionel Messi came into the game with an opportunity to score his 20th league goal of the season for a record-extending 13th consecutive campaign.
He, however, fired blanks but it was not for want of trying from the Rosario native. The Barcelona skipper ended the game with a match-high five shots, with two of those on target, while he also posted game-high numbers for dribbles (five) and key passes (six).
His pair of assists meant he set his teammates up twice in the same game for the first time this term. It also took him to eight assists for the season, bringing his total goal contribution to 27 from 24 La Liga fixtures.
