Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal’s second-half strikes earned Barcelona a 2-0 win over Osasuna on Thursday and arrange a Spanish Tremendous Cup closing Clasico rematch.
The Catalans beat Actual Madrid in final 12 months’s closing and can face their bitter rivals once more Sunday after Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in an eight-goal thriller within the first semi-final in Saudi Arabia.
“We need to take the ball off Madrid, that’s our DNA, we’re massively motivated, it’s the second to indicate our greatest soccer,” Xavi informed reporters.
“We’re in one other closing, one other Clasico, which was our major goal — we didn’t play a superb recreation, however a critical, smart one.”
Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera stored Barcelona at bay earlier than Ilkay Gundogan slipped in veteran ahead Lewandowski to open the scoring earlier than the hour mark.
The 35-year-old has not been at his greatest this season however completed clinically to present his crew the lead.
Yamal, 16, stroked house his first purpose since October in stoppage time to clinch Barca’s victory.
Beating Madrid final season within the Tremendous Cup closing earned Xavi Hernandez his first trophy as coach and arrange the Spanish champions properly for his or her league title tilt.
The perimeters will do battle once more on the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh with Barcelona making an attempt to kick-start their season, which has began in disappointing style.
The victory over Osasuna was Barcelona’s first by greater than a single purpose since September, throughout an unconvincing run of type.
“It’s true that it’s been a while since we’ve gained by greater than a purpose, however it doesn’t matter, it’s about successful, enjoying effectively, and we performed a strong recreation,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong informed Movistar.
“Now we have to enhance, we’re bettering — it’s fairly a brand new crew this 12 months with a whole lot of modifications and also you all the time want time to enhance.
“(You want time) to get used to your team-mates, and we’ve had a whole lot of accidents too, we’re in that course of and there’s a closing in opposition to Madrid, it’s nice, two high stage groups.”
Document 14-time Tremendous Cup winners Barca battled within the first half with Jagoba Arrasate’s facet, runners up in final season’s Copa del Rey closing in opposition to Actual Madrid, and enjoying within the competitors for the primary time.
The overwhelming majority of Saudi followers had been supporting Barca however there was a strip of supporters wearing Osasuna crimson, who cheered as Herrera pummeled Gundogan’s free-kick away.
Lewandowski headed vast when well-placed to attain and on the different finish Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena made a formidable save from Ante Budimir 5 minutes earlier than the break.
Raphinha limped off injured for Barcelona and was changed by Yamal, who shortly threatened together with his tempo and incisive move that Lewandowski couldn’t drive house.
‘We deserved extra’
Lewandowski ultimately struck within the 59th minute after Gundogan discovered him with a intelligent ball. The Polish ahead carried the ball into the field and tucked a end house on the close to submit.
Osasuna complained of a foul within the build-up by Andreas Christensen, however it was removed from clear.
“It’s evident for me (and) whether or not it’s by likelihood or not, these fouls all the time go the way in which of the identical groups,” Osasuna captain David Garcia informed Movistar.
“I believe general we deserved extra, I’m irritated for everybody, the followers who got here right here and those that couldn’t come and stayed again house.”
Xavi introduced on Pedri Gonzalez for his first look in practically a month after harm, and Joao Felix, who has fallen out of favour currently however instantly compelled a superb Herrera save at full stretch.
Osasuna did not put Barcelona beneath sufficient strain to search out an equaliser and Yamal slotted house on the dying after good work by Felix to arrange Sunday’s mouthwatering closing.
“Each Clasico has its personal story, we will’t predict many issues, solely that will probably be an excellent recreation,” added Xavi.
Supply: namibian
