Xavi Hernandez is walking the long road to a Camp Nou departure at the end of the season, however until that point, he has a job to do.
Barcelona need to finish in the Champions League places for the financial benefits of being in the competition, and a 1-0 victory over Osasuna on Wednesday evening was the perfect result.
After the news of their coach’s departure was made official, Barcelona’s senior team have looked to focus on results, despite the fact that there are growing concerns over the team’s financial status moving forward.
With that said, the 1-0 win over Osasuna was a well-earned one as Barcelona had 16 shots and 67 percent possession, despite scoring just the one solitary goal.
Who got Barcelona’s winning strike?
Osasuna actually started the game brightly, and they had a penalty shout turned down after 26 minutes, with the referee making clear that the challenge on an attacker was fair.
Ilkay Gundogan then created a chance for Jules Kounde from a well-taken corner, however the French defender headed over the bar.
Ante Budimir then blew a golden chance from inside the six-yard box. He was first to a rebound from a parried shot, yet he nodded the ball wide of the left post.
Kounde then had another headed opportunity from 12 yards out, however he put too much on the effort once more and it went past the post.
Frustration was growing as the second-half went on, however Barcelona gradually piled on the pressure.
Eventually it paid off as Vitor Roque announced himself to the Barcelona faithful.
The Brazilian was found inside the penalty area by Joao Cancelo, and the January signing scored his first goal for the club with a close-range header.
Just minutes after the opening goal Osasuna were forced to play the rest of the match with 10 players as Unai Garcia was given a second yellow card for a sloppy foul.
Lamine Yamal then forced a strong two-headed save from Aitor Fernandez with 19 minutes left, all before another penalty shout was turned down, this time from Barcelona.
The hosts were able to hold onto their victory and take another crucial three points.
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