Match Details

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• Raphinha sidelined with thigh strain following Elche win

  Barcelona winger Raphinha will miss the match against Albacete and face a week on the sidelines after scans confirmed an adductor strain in his right thigh. Barcelona have confirmed that first-team star Raphael Dias, known as Raphinha, has suffered a strain in the adductor muscle of his right thigh. The injury follows his early withdrawal during the club’s recent victory over Elche. Despite the player’s initial optimism, medical assessments revealed the muscular issue, which will temporarily halt the Brazilian’s impressive run of form under manager Hansi Flick this season. The winger is set to miss the upcoming fixture against Albacete as a precaution, with a recovery period estimated at one week. Raphinha has been a vital component of the Barça lineup, contributing 13 goals in 22 appearances while spearheading the team’s high-intensity pressing game. Flick will now have to adjust his tactical setup without the forward’s trademark energy for the next match.

• Barcelona, Real Madrid and the €8.4m Negreira payments: A shadow over El Clasico

  It is almost three years since payments totalling €8.4million (£7.2m; $9.7m) made by Barcelona to former Spanish referees committee vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira first came to light.

  A Barcelona court has been investigating the payments sent between 2001 and 2018 to companies connected to Negreira, and the coming months may see the case move forward into a criminal trial, which could eventually bring jail time for those involved if they are found guilty.

• Eric Garcia: “Give the ball to Pedri, and he fixes everything”

  Eric Garcia lauded midfielder Pedri’s crucial influence after the 2-0 victory over Osasuna, stating that “When things get complicated in midfield, give the ball to Pedri, and he fixes everything.”

  Barcelona defender Eric Garcia reserved high praise for midfielder Pedri following the club’s crucial 2-0 La Liga victory over Osasuna.

  Garcia, who played in midfield and defence during the match, highlighted Pedri’s ability to handle pressure and control play, especially when facing compact, counter-attacking teams.

  Raphinha’s late brace secured the win, extending Barça’s league lead to seven points.

  Garcia reflected on the difficulty of the match, noting Osasuna employed a defensive structure similar to Eintracht Frankfurt.

  He acknowledged that the team “lacked a bit of tempo” in the first half but emphasized the value of the three points.

  He noted the win provided “a calm Sunday” by increasing the gap over rivals like Real Madrid and Villarreal.

  The defender, recently renewed at the club, concluded his post-match comments by lauding Pedri’s influence on the squad, stating:

  “When things get complicated in midfield, give the ball to Pedri, and he fixes everything.” Garcia also praised the squad’s versatility, which ensures strong competition and keeps “nobody switch[ing] off.”

• Hansi Flick hails La Masia’s ‘wonderful’ production line

  Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praised the “wonderful” work of La Masia after academy graduates, particularly 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi, put in an impressive defensive performance to help secure a 2-0 win over Osasuna.

  Barcelona manager Hansi Flick heaped praise on the club’s famed youth academy, La Masia, after its graduates delivered a superb defensive display in a 2-0 victory over Osasuna.

  The win, secured by a Raphinha second-half brace, extended Barcelona’s LaLiga lead to seven points. Flick’s primary focus was on his defense, which restricted Osasuna to only three shots on goal.

  Three members of the back four—Gerard Martin, Alejandro Balde, and 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi—were all 23 or younger, and academy products.

  Flick singled out the performance of the teenage defender, stating: “Playing at this level at 18 years old is brutal.” He also highlighted Eric Garcia’s “fantastic game” in midfield, who completed 93.8% of his passes.

  Flick concluded his praise with a direct tribute to the youth setup, saying: “I have to congratulate La Masia for what they have done with the young players. It’s really wonderful.”

  Despite noting his team “didn’t have great chances,” Flick was pleased with the three points, which marked Barcelona’s seventh consecutive LaLiga win by at least a two-goal margin.

• Player Ratings: Raphinha 9, delivered a masterclass to lead Barcelona to win

  Barcelona secured a vital 2-0 victory against Osasuna, extending their La Liga winning streak to seven games. Despite Osasuna’s resilient defensive setup, Raphinha emerged as the match-winner with a late brace.

  This crucial win propels Barcelona seven points clear at the top of the league, showcasing their continued strong form under Hansi Flick.

  Barcelona Player Ratings 

  GK: Joan García—8.0

  The goalkeeper had a peaceful evening, scarcely being tested by the opposition. He dealt with the two attempts on target with assurance and competence.

  RB: Jules Koundé—7.8

  His forward runs initially lacked precision, but he was pivotal in setting up Barcelona’s second goal. Despite a mostly quiet match for the recent Champions League star, his defensive duties were performed reliably.

  CB: Pau Cubarsí—7.4

  Cubarsí competently managed his duties in the backline whenever required, demonstrating good awareness by successfully orchestrating the offside trap on two important occasions.

  CB: Gerard Martín—7.9

  Martín employed his athleticism and pace to effectively neutralize the threat posed by the quick Víctor Muñoz, maintaining a close man-marking role throughout the fixture. This was another commendable performance from one of the season’s pleasant surprises for Barça.

  LB: Alejandro Balde—7.8

  He relentlessly covered the entire left flank, contributing essential defensive tackles while consistently supporting the attack, particularly through effective link-up play with Rashford.

  DM: Eric García—7.5

  García displayed great effectiveness in the midfield pivot role, successfully winning back possession and clearing up difficult situations before delivering incisive passes to enable Barcelona’s playmakers to take charge.

  CM: Pedri—8.5

  In the presence of the legendary Andrés Iniesta, Pedri offered a stellar imitation of the former midfielder. He remains the primary driving force behind the Barcelona attack and notched an assist for the third consecutive league fixture.

  AM: Raphinha—9.0

  Although he seemed less sharp for the second game running, he rose to the occasion precisely when Barcelona needed a breakthrough. He secured the victory with a match-winning brace and will gain immense confidence from settling the contest even when not at his peak.

  RW: Lamine Yamal—8.2

  Osasuna’s defense frequently assigned two or three players to mark him, yet Yamal managed to bypass them occasionally with breathtaking sequences of dribbling. He continues to be a constant threat, though he will be disappointed not to have registered a goal himself.

  ST: Ferran Torres—6.5

  Torres was the most threatening forward for Barcelona during the opening 45 minutes but completely faded from the action after the halftime interval.

  LW: Marcus Rashford—7.6

  He started brightly with several penetrating runs down the left wing, but his overall impact diminished as the match progressed. However, he showed renewed energy in the second half, contributing to a generally positive outing.