Barcelona’s perfect record in LaLiga is over after Osasuna won 4-2 on Saturday despite only 25% possession of the ball.
Scorers: Budimir 18′, 73′ (P), Zaragoza 28′, Bretones 85′; VÃctor 53′, Yamal 89′
It should have been a routine win for Barcelona, having not lost any of their last eight visits to El Sadar in La Liga. But Osasuna had something special up their sleeves.
Manager Hansi Flick opted to start a handful of youngsters, including Pau VÃctor, Pablo Torre, Gerard MartÃn, Pau Cubarsà and Sergi DomÃnguez, which came back to haunt him.
The hosts took advantage of a 17-year-old and 19-year-old centre-back pairing to grab a statement 2-0 lead within 28 minutes after striking on the counter both times. Barcelona, meanwhile, had zero shots after 40 minutes.
Ante Budimir arrived late in the box and thumped home a header to become the club’s all-time scorer in LaLiga before Bryan Zaragoza raced away and beat goalkeeper Iñaki Peña Sotorres from a tight angle.
🔴🔵 Osasuna to beat Barça at home for the first time since 2012…
…and scoring 4 goals while Barça under Flick only conceded 5 goals in La Liga so far! pic.twitter.com/1DtZQIjjio
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 28, 2024
Barcelona must have had a scathing talk at half-time and suggested the comeback was on minutes into the second half. A strike from VÃctor out of nowhere bobbled awkwardly and caught Sergio Herrera sleeping for 2-1.
But despite Flick calling upon big guns Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, Barcelona failed to create anything worthwhile and conceded a third time on the break. DomÃnguez conceded a penalty and Budimir secured a brace on his record-breaking night.
And while Yamal eventually found the top right corner himself, Osasuna’s statement win was secured with substitute Abel Bretones netting from range after stripping the Spain starlet of the ball.
The result sees Osasuna sit sixth in the table after their first home victory over Barcelona in 12 years. Real Madrid can move one point behind Barcelona if they beat Atlético Madrid on Sunday.