FC Barcelona vs CA Osasuna Match Review

December 13, 2025 | Barcelona 2 - Osasuna 0

Another match day, another win. There's not much more you can ask of a team than a win, but with a club like Barcelona, it's not only about winning but also about the way the team plays. This match was less about how strong Osasuna was in defense, but the lack of finishing or shooting struggles Barcelona has had. Raphinha has been a stellar example, winning with great play. It's hard to stress how important Raphinha has been since returning from injury; his tireless defensive work rate, attacking positioning, and movement are key attributes that Barcelona missed while he was gone.

A few takeaways from the match:

Barcelona cannot have 24 shots and 7 on goal; it improved in the second half, but the finishing has to be more clinical. Although Barcelona has talent virtually in every position in attack, their play can feel one-dimensional at times. Swing the ball to Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, and try to drive down the field. That can be an effective strategy when you have overwhelming speed, but with the wingers getting doubled and even tripled, it's not always viable. Barcelona needs to start getting back to its roots with more overlapping runs from Kounde, exactly how the second goal was scored, and to build more through the middle. They have players like Raphinha, Pedri, Fermin, and even Frenkie De Jong, who can handle creative play through the middle, drawing players in, allowing for through or over the top balls to our attacking trio. I hear lots about the lack of fortitude in Barcelona's back four. While I think there's some truth to that, I feel that fans are forgetting the Hansi Flick, and the Barcelona of last year. You can score on us, but we can score more. While the style of play is still effective, there has been a drop-off in the defensive acumen. Inigo Martinez leaving for Saudi Arabia was a last-minute change that the team didn't expect. Flick's move of Cubarsi to the left center back role has proven to be a flawed transition, and Araujo's shaky play in the last year and a half has left Barcelona with very few options. Gerard Martin has been a solid filler for the position, but as fans can attest, the level he is currently in is not one of a starting center back for Barcelona.

Player Reviews:

Joan Garcia: Great performance, exactly what Barcelona signed him to do. Barca has had a lackluster goalkeeper situation for a while now. With respect to what Ter Stegen has done for them, it has not been consistent for multiple seasons now, and Garcia has brought a new security blanket in goal so far. Often, saving the team from multiple goals in each match, not manifesting in clean sheets, but certainly a wall in goal this match.

Gerard Martin - Overall solid match. His needs work when tackling, often times misjudges or hesitates the ball. He's filling a gap and showing that he can fill the role, but Barcelona needs a starting centre back. On the bright side, Martin made a couple of great tackles to stop counterattacks during the game.

Alejandro Balde - Good performance from the left back. He needs to continue to overlap when playing with the winger, however, in his defense, Rashford has been playing very wide, not allowing for overlapping runs. He did great holding off Munoz on a counterattack, making an effort not to foul. At times, his lack of ambidexterity is frustrating, making his progressive dribbles end quickly after cutting inside.

Pau Cubarsi - Great performance, he's still quite young, and becoming the face of Barcelona's defense is not an easy task. His poise under pressure and vision for long balls to the attackers is dangerous. Stout defensively, progressing well for his age.

Jules Kounde - Once again, an okay performance from Kounde this season. His focus seems to waver frequently when playing, whether it's not knowing what his next move is going to be after receiving the ball or a lack of overlapping. Fans cannot be too harsh on him just yet; his development from center back at Sevilla to right back on a heavily back-and-forth Barcelona cannot be easy. However, creating openings with his movement and interactive play with Lamine can lead to goals and safety cushions to relax the play.

Eric Garcia - Good performance. He has been underrated this season, mostly due to his first couple of seasons at Barcelona. He did well in his center defensive midfielder role, with accurate passes, solid shot selection, and outside-the-box presence is needed in the team.

Pedri - Backbone, workhorse, playmaker. It's hard to describe a more complete player; however, if there is something to take away so far, it's better shot selection, shooting outside the box more. Barcelona lacks dangerous shots outside the box; this would give a great boost. Pedri excels in his crossing, forward passing, and individual skills, leaving an impact in every match.

Raphina - Great performance. Overall lively, good creativity, and great defensive workload. Often too much in Lamine's space, creating a lack of space for through balls or driving to goals with defenders shifting over. Although at times his finishing could be stronger, putting away goals is a great feat, and reassuring that his regaining his Balon D'or form once again.

Lamine Yamal - Great match with his classic, fun, and dangerous creativity and skill. With that said, Lamine needs to find ways to be more innovative in individual battles. He needs Kounde to overlap to either pass or cut in and shoot or bend in a pass. His shot-taking amount needs work; while he excels in dribbling and winning battles, he often cuts too much, missing opportunities to sneak a shot in.

Ferran Torres - Lackluster performance. He needs to become more clinical in front of the goal. While he has been in good form and has great movement, he had multiple chances in front of the goal and needs to get them on target and, more importantly, in the back of the net.

Rashford - Solid outing, but he needs to win more individual battles, and while his crossing has been okay, more consistency. That’s what's been a part of his issue before arriving and while at Barcelona. He made a great move to earn a free kick, and that came from being decisive to take a player on in the final third. He needs to become more decisive in either shooting the ball, passing it, or taking the player on. It seems like he overthinks his moves and often gets tied up in his thoughts, losing the ball.