Osasuna vs FC Barcelona: Fight back and more ‘clasicos’ ahead (1-2)

Pamplona (FCB).- Job done. Barça duly got through their Spanish Cup’s last 16 tie against Osasuna with a comfortable win in Pamplona. Guardiola’s men had to come back from a goal down in the second half after Leka had put the hosts ahead before the break, but Alexis and Sergi Roberto did the job. Now, FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter finals next week  - the first ‘clasico’ of 2012, after seven meetings in 2011. That first leg is at the Bernabeu stadium next Wednesday, with the return a week later at the Camp Nou, also at 22h00 CET.

Fontàs injury

On a cold and foggy night in Pamplona and with Barça already 4-0 up from the first leg, there was a slow start to the Spanish Cup’s game, with the sideways pass the dominant feature of the early exchanges from both teams. Barça were happy to take the game easy, but they suffered a blow on 15 minutes when Fontàs suffered a bad looking injury. Abidal came on for the youngster and just after he came on, Barça were nearly caught cold by Osasuna after the Frenchman lost possession.

Leka puts Osasuna ahead

It was Thiago who was most looking for the ball for Barça, whilst the ever active Pedro was full of enthusiasm in a game that had few chances to warm the Pamplona crowd. Osasuna only really threatened at the end of the first half and were rewarded by a Leka goal – the first that Pinto had conceded in the Cup this season.

Alexis hits back quickly

Guardiola’s team came out rather more fired up after the break and were soon laying siege to the Basque team’s area, getting the equaliser from almost their first occasion when Alexis put away a great Adriano cross from the left. Soon after, the Chilean went off to be replaced by Leo Messi who showed the same enthusiasm that he brings to any game. Then FC Barcelona’s Manager, Pep Guardiola, was forced to make another change as Pedro came off with what looked like a slight thigh strain and Busquets came on.

Sergi Roberto

That substitution meant that Sergi Roberto moved up into a false number nine role and after a few minutes he was on the scoresheet after Messi had set him up in the box to ensure a quarter final spot. So now the attention will turn to Madrid and next Wednesday’s trip to the Real Madrid’s stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu.