Barcelona have taken a giant step toward reclaiming the La Liga title after a gritty 2. 1 victory over Osasuna at the formidable El Sadar fortress on...
Barcelona have taken a giant step toward reclaiming the La Liga title after a gritty 2. 1 victory over Osasuna at the formidable El Sadar fortress on Saturday evening. The Catalan giants, who have been in imperious form on their travels this season, once again showed their character in a contest that demanded patience and resilience. From the opening whistle, the visitors commanded the lion's share of possession, stroking the ball around the Pamplona pitch with the confidence of a side that knows its destiny lies in its own hands. However, for all their territorial dominance, the first half lacked the cutting edge that has defined much of their campaign. Osasuna, to their credit, gave a good account of themselves and came closest to breaking the deadlock with two dangerous chances that tested the Barcelona rearguard. The second half saw the game open up, and it was Barcelona who finally found the breakthrough. A well worked move ended with a clinical finish that silenced the home crowd. Osasuna, as expected, pushed back with the fervour of a team playing for pride, and they equalised through a clever set piece that caught the Barcelona defence napping. At that point, many observers felt the hosts might hold on for a share of the spoils. But in the scheme of things, Barcelona have developed a habit of snatching victory from the jaws of stalemate, and they did exactly that in the dying embers of the match. A late strike, a moment of individual brilliance, sent the travelling faithful into raptures and dealt a psychological blow to the chasing pack. At the end of the day, the three points put Xavi's men on the verge of the title, with only a handful of matches remaining. For Nigerian fans who follow the exploits of the Super Eagles stars scattered across Europe, the performance of Barcelona's African contingent offered much to admire. Though no Nigerian international featured directly in the goals, the seamless integration of players from the continent continues to be a talking point in the corridors of power at Camp Nou. Back home in Lagos, at popular viewing centres in Surulere and Maryland, the atmosphere was electric. As the final whistle echoed through the speakers, fans clad in Barcelona jerseys jumped to their feet, shouting and exchanging hearty handshakes. In Abuja, at the popular City View Centre, patrons broke into spontaneous chants of 'Barca, Barca!' while others debated whether the team can now afford to slip up. The general consensus was clear: this is a squad that has finally learned how to win ugly, and that is the hallmark of champions.
