Jordi Alba got here on as a super-sub to ship Barcelona’s solely clutch objective towards 10-man Osasuna on Tuesday, sending the Catalans a step nearer to their first La Liga title since 2019.
Xavi Hernandez’s aspect climbed 14 factors away from second place Real Madrid, who misplaced 2-0 at Real Sociedad.
The guests had debutant Jorge Herrando despatched off within the first half for an expert foul on Pedri, as they sat deep and tried to frustrate hosts Barcelona.
Visiting goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez stored the leaders at bay within the second half however finally substitute Alba, who has had decreased minutes this season, sliced dwelling a volley to grab a late victory.
“We’re going to wait and see, but it’s a giant step forward,” mentioned Xavi.
“We suffered an excessive amount of. We missed some very clear probabilities, the sort the place you possibly can simply push it in.
“And then came Jordi’s goal, which sometimes makes it better to win like that.”
Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate rotated closely to relaxation gamers forward of the Copa del Rey closing towards Madrid on Saturday, whereas Barca began with the identical aspect which crushed Real Betis on the weekend.
The Catalans didn’t carve out many clear alternatives within the first half towards their defensive opponents.
The finest probability fell to Pedri after left again Alejandro Balde discovered him a couple of yards out from objective however he didn’t join with the ball nicely, scuffing a shot huge.
Osasuna have been decreased to 10 males earlier than the half-hour mark when Herrando pulled down Pedri as he ran in on objective.
Xavi introduced on Ansu Fati after 35 minutes for Gavi, who appeared to take a knock, and the ahead got here shut firstly of the second half however Fernandez denied him.
String of saves
Frenkie de Jong ought to have despatched Barcelona forward however fired straight on the goalkeeper from six yards out when Pedri discovered him.
Barcelona’s frustration grew when Fernandez saved from Fati once more and substitute Ousmane Dembele despatched a shot huge from shut vary.
La Liga’s prime scorer Robert Lewandowski had one other quiet evening on the workplace. When the Polish ahead did discover the online it was dominated out for offside.
Eventually, the breakthrough got here with 5 minutes to go, with substitute Alba volleying dwelling his second objective of the season after De Jong headed the ball into his path, sparking vigorous celebrations.
If Barcelona earn two extra factors from their final 5 video games, they are going to be champions.
Madrid overwhelmed
Former Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea netted the objectives for Real Sociedad towards Los Blancos, tightening their grip on the fourth spot and Champions League qualification.
Madrid defender Dani Carvajal was despatched off after an hour for a second yellow card to make issues worse for Los Blancos, who face Osasuna within the Copa del Rey closing on Saturday.
“It’s not the best way to prepare for games,” mentioned Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“A defeat all the time hurts, it lowers your dynamic, the nice emotions, so it is not one of the best ways to organize for what’s to return.
“In the gamers’ heads clearly is extra, the Copa closing, the Champions League semi-finals, that has an impact.
“When you don’t have good concentration, you end up giving away gifts.”
The Italian performed a makeshift aspect due to accidents and suspensions, and he additionally left striker Karim Benzema behind within the Madrid capital forward of Saturday’s cup finale.
Kubo struck firstly of the second half for the hosts after Eder Militao gave the ball away in a harmful space.
Carvajal was dismissed for a foul on Real Sociedad ahead Mikel Oyarzabal, giving Madrid an uphill battle.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did nicely to parry a deflected Barrenetxea strike, however he couldn’t hold out the ahead’s subsequent effort, shocking the Belgian at his close to publish.
If third-place Atletico Madrid beat Cadiz on Wednesday, they will transfer second.
Real Sociedad are eight factors away from fifth-place Villarreal, who’ve performed one fewer sport.
Bottom-of-the-table Elche have been relegated after a 2-1 defeat at Almeria.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
