Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal’s second-half strikes earned Barcelona a 2-0 win over Osasuna on Thursday and arrange a Spanish Super Cup remaining Clasico rematch.
Barcelona’s Polish ahead Robert Lewandowski throughout the Spanish Super Cup semi-final vs Osasuna(AFP)
The Catalans beat Real Madrid in final 12 months’s remaining and can face their bitter rivals once more Sunday after Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in an eight-goal thriller within the first semi-final in Saudi Arabia.
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“We want to take the ball off Madrid, that’s our DNA, we’re hugely motivated, it’s the moment to show our best football,” Xavi instructed reporters.
“We’re in another final, another Clasico, which was our main objective — we didn’t play a brilliant game, but a serious, sensible one.”
Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera stored Barcelona at bay earlier than Ilkay Gundogan slipped in veteran ahead Lewandowski to open the scoring earlier than the hour mark.
The 35-year-old has not been at his finest this season however completed clinically to offer his group the lead.
Yamal, 16, stroked residence his first objective since October in stoppage time to clinch Barca’s victory.
Beating Madrid final season within the Super Cup remaining earned Xavi Hernandez his first trophy as coach and arrange the Spanish champions properly for his or her league title tilt.
The sides will do battle once more on the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh with Barcelona trying to kick-start their season, which has began in disappointing vogue.
The victory over Osasuna was Barcelona’s first by greater than a single objective since September, throughout an unconvincing run of type.
“It’s true that it’s been some time since we’ve won by more than a goal, but it doesn’t matter, it’s about winning, playing well, and we played a solid game,” Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong instructed Movistar.
“We have to improve, we are improving — it’s quite a new team this year with a lot of changes and you always need time to improve.
“(You want time) to get used to your team-mates, and we have had loads of accidents too, we’re in that course of and there is a remaining in opposition to Madrid, it is nice, two prime degree groups.”
Record 14-time Super Cup winners Barca battled in the first half with Jagoba Arrasate’s side, runners up in last season’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, and playing in the competition for the first time.
The vast majority of Saudi fans were supporting Barca but there was a strip of supporters dressed in Osasuna red, who cheered as Herrera pummeled Gundogan’s free-kick away.
Lewandowski headed wide when well-placed to score and at the other end Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena made an impressive save from Ante Budimir five minutes before the break.
Raphinha limped off injured for Barcelona and was replaced by Yamal, who quickly threatened with his pace and incisive pass that Lewandowski could not force home.
‘We deserved more’
Lewandowski eventually struck in the 59th minute after Gundogan found him with a clever ball. The Polish forward carried the ball into the box and tucked a finish home at the near post.
Osasuna complained of a foul in the build-up by Andreas Christensen, but it was far from clear.
“It’s evident for me (and) whether or not it is by likelihood or not, these fouls at all times go the way in which of the identical groups,” Osasuna captain David Garcia told Movistar.
“I believe total we deserved extra, I’m irritated for everybody, the followers who got here right here and people who couldn’t come and stayed again residence.”
Xavi brought on Pedri Gonzalez for his first appearance in nearly a month after injury, and Joao Felix, who has fallen out of favour lately but immediately forced a brilliant Herrera save at full stretch.
Osasuna failed to put Barcelona under enough pressure to find an equaliser and Yamal slotted home at the death after good work by Felix to set up Sunday’s mouthwatering final.
“Every Clasico has its personal story, we won’t predict many issues, solely that it is going to be an excellent sport,” added Xavi.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
