Barcelona 1-0 Osasuna: Jordi Alba nets late winner as champions-elect narrowly beat 10-man visitors

Jordi Alba’s late strike saw Barcelona take another huge step towards the title by beating 10-man Osasuna 1-0 at Camp Nou in La Liga.

The visitors put in a belligerent and heroic defensive display after having Jorge Herrando sent off, but were eventually worn down as they slipped to defeat.

The hosts dominated possession right from the first whistle, but they found a compact and well organised back five tough to break down.

The turning point in the game was therefore when debutant Jorge Herrando was sent off for a professional foul after hauling down Pedri when he raced through on goal.

Even so, it took until after the break for Barca to start truly threatening Aitor Hernandez’s goal, with the ‘keeper forced into an excellent stop from Frenkie de Jong, before substitute Ousmane Dembele somehow fired wide.

At the other end, Ter Stegen made an terrific low save from Iker Munoz, before Barca thought they had taken the lead when Lewandowski bundled home from close range, only for the strike to be ruled out as Ferran Torres was offside when the cross came into the box.

With the game appearing to drift towards a draw, Alba stepped up to clatter home with the outside of his boot in the box, handing Barca another precious three points.

TALKING POINT – A debut to forget

With Osasuna opting to rotate their starting line-up ahead of this weekend’s Copa del Rey final, Jorge Herrando was handed his La Liga debut.

However, the gangly defender, who had made two previous cup appearances for the club, will want to forget this game quickly, as after an impressive start, he received his marching orders.

The 22-year old didn’t give the officials much choice with his professional foul on Pedri, and although it took a while for Barca to make the extra man count, the well-drilled visiting defence eventually tired and the hosts took full advantage.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

Not too many players stood out from a Barcelona point-of-view, but the Dutch midfielder certainly did.

He was at heart of most attacking moves for the hosts, regularly attempting to find a way through that stubborn defence with his clipped crosses and slid passes.

In the end, he simply needed more attacking reinforcements to help out, but he was a shining light in the heart of midfield, with over 90% pass completion rate and creating numerous chances.

PLAYER RATINGS

BARCELONA: ter Stegen 6; Kounde, Araujo 7, Christensen 6, Balde 6; Pedri 7, Busquets 6, de Jong 8; Raphinha 6, Lewandowski 6, Gavi 5. Subs: Fati 8, Garcia 6, Dembele 7, Alba 7, Torres 6

OSASUNA: Fernandez 8; Moreno 7, Unai Garcia 7, Herrando 5, Sanchez 7; Oroz 6, Torro 6, Ibanez 6; Benito 6, Avila 5, Ruben Garcia 5. Subs: Kike Barja 6, Munoz 6, Kike Garcia 5, Cruz 5, Hernandez n/a

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

27’ RED CARD FOR HERRANDO. Jorge Herrando has received his marching orders! A brilliant ball through to Pedri, who is hauled down by Herrando as he breaks through on goal. It’s a professional foul, and it’s a clear red card. The 22-year old heads for an early bath.

57’ AITOR SAVES. Pedri clips a ball into the box and it’s met by de Jong on the half-volley, but the ‘keeper makes an excellent reaction save, tipping over the bar.

79’ GOAL RULED OUT! Lewandowski has the ball in the back of the net after an initial shot was saved, but the assistant referee waves his flag for offside against Ferran Torres earlier in the move. It won’t count!

85’ GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 OSASUNA (Jordi Alba). The resistance is broken! Barcelona work the ball to the back post, where substitute Jordi Alba fires in a low shot. Aitor gets a hand to it and should probably keep it out, but the back of the net ripples and the hosts go in front.

KEY STATS

• This was the 13th time Barcelona have won ‘to nil’ at home in La Liga this season
• Osasuna have now won just one of their last 14 games against Barcelona