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#Post#: 12--------------------------------------------------
Messi frustrated, 6/10 as Barca surrender their La Liga crown
DIR By: The Referee
Date: July 19, 2020, 6:46 pm
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Sam Marsden-
Messi frustrated, 6/10 as Barca surrender their La Liga crown
A frustrating Barcelona season played itself out vs. Osasuna, as
Leo Messi and Co. came up short again, meaning Real Madrid were
crowned champions. Barcelona were beaten at Camp Nou in La Liga
for the first time this season as their title hopes went out
with a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna. Roberto Torres struck the winner
in stoppage time for the 10-man visitors, who had Enric Gallego
sent off late on for an elbow on Clement Lenglet.
A Lionel Messi free kick had earlier cancelled out Jose Arnaiz's
opener, but it wasn't enough to stop Barca losing at home in La
Liga for the first time since Quique Setien's Real Betis beat
them in November 2018.
Positives-
Frenkie de Jong made his first appearance since June after
returning from a calf injury. That should be viewed as good news
ahead of the return of the Champions League next month.
Negatives-
After back-to-back titles, Barca's reign in Spain is over for
now. Real Madrid's 2-1 win against Villarreal meant Zinedine
Zidane's side were crowned La Liga champions on Thursday,
winning the league for the first time since 2017 with a game to
spare.
Madrid's success leaves Barca with a lot of thinking to do.
While Los Blancos have won all 10 games since the restart, Barca
have drawn three and now lost one. They have an aging spine, and
against Osasuna there was a lack of intensity. Playing this way,
as Messi said after the game, beating Napoli in the Champions
League at Camp Nou next month is far from a given.
Messi also said that the Osasuna loss was a reflection of the
season and, after the Champions League, it's hard to escape the
feeling a massive clear-out is needed.
Manager rating out of 10
4 -- Setien finally decided to rotate his squad, bringing in
Martin Braithwaite and Junior Firpo, among others, but it was
too little too late. His substitutions were obvious, bringing on
the veterans, and it's hard to see where he has made his mark
since his January appointment.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70
minutes get no rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 -- Made a smart early save from
Arnaiz and could do little about either of the goals.
DF Nelson Semedo, 5 -- Did some good work covering for his
teammates but will be singled out for allowing the first goal to
come from his flank.
DF Gerard Pique, 6 -- Looked to drive the team on in the first
half but drifted after the break as the title slipped away. Also
was booked, so he will be suspended for Alaves on Sunday.
DF Clement Lenglet, 6 -- Assured on the ball and can't really be
blamed for Osasuna's late winner as Barca pushed for a winner of
their own.
DF Junior Firpo, 5 -- Didn't deliver, but it's also unfair to
expect him to when he's used so sparingly.
MF Ivan Rakitic, 5 -- Might have played his last league game for
Barca. Picked up a yellow card that means he will miss the final
game of the season, with his future beyond that uncertain.
MF Sergi Roberto, 6 -- His evening followed a similar pattern:
started in midfield before moving to right-back. Did OK.
MF Riqui Puig, 6 -- Looks to give Barca what they need, but it
didn't completely come off for him here. What he needs now is
games and a show of confidence to really take his development to
the next level.
FW Lionel Messi, 6 -- Cut a frustrated figure at times. All his
best chances came from free kicks. Hit the bar in the first half
before finally scoring his 23rd goal of the season after the
break.
FW Martin Braithwaite, 5 -- Given a rare start as the central
striker but struggled to have an impact against Osasuna's deep
block. Had a strike ruled out for offside just before coming off
on the hour.
FW Ansu Fati, 6 -- Tried hard but, like Braithwaite, faced a
difficult challenge against a well-drilled Osasuna side.
Substitutions
MF Arturo Vidal, 5 -- Unable to affect the game with his chaos
as Setien would have hoped.
FW Luis Suarez, 5 -- Had a goal ruled out for offside after
replacing Braithwaite for the final half an hour.
MF Sergio Busquets, N/R -- Came on for Rakitic with Barca
chasing a winner.
DF Jordi Alba, N/R -- Heavily involved despite only being on for
a short while. Created chances and even found time to try his
own luck from 30 yards.
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