Still sluggish, FC Barcelona defeated Osasuna in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup (2-0) on Thursday in Riyadh, joining its rival Real Madrid in the final for a clasico at the top.
Distanced in the championship by Girona and the Madrilenians (third with 7 points behind), the Catalan club remains in the race to retain its title, even if it will certainly take more to beat the Merengues, undefeated for twenty matches.
Because the “click”, desired by Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez to relaunch a season so far below expectations, did not take place on Thursday.
As is often the case, Barça dominated the match, but as is often the case, it struggled to get into rhythm to be truly dangerous, even against an opponent well within its reach (12th in La Liga).
Worse, Xavi’s men once again showed great defensive feverishness which could have seriously complicated their task.
Andreas Christensen (6th, 47th), Ferran Torres (8th) and Robert Lewandowski (13th, 31st) had opportunities to open the scoring, calling on the Spanish goalkeeper Sergio Herrera several times, without being realistic enough in front of goal.
And it was the Basques who had the clearest opportunity for a balanced first period, forcing Inaki Peña to come out at the feet of Budimir who had caught Araujo (39th).
Shortly before the break, the Brazilian Raphinha, injured in the left thigh, had to give way to young Lamine Yamal, who tried to bring liveliness to the Catalan attack.
Well served by Gündogan in the meantime, Robert Lewandowski delivered his team in the 59th minute with a cross shot from the right (1-0), after a contentious recovery from Christensen at the feet of Arnaiz.
The Basque team, which owed its place in this competition to its Copa del Rey final lost against Real last year, did not give up, but finally failed a second time, Lamine Yamal doubling the lead at the end of time additional from a curled shot from the left (90 3rd).
A second goal in the Blaugrana jersey for the promising 16-year-old Spaniard, which allows Barcelona to sign a first victory by more than a goal in more than four months.
Xavi’s men. managed their end of the match. A physical advantage which will not be too much on Sunday over their Madrid rivals, having had to pull away at the end of extra time to eliminate Antoine Griezmann’s Atlético on Wednesday (5-3).
