The best scenario to thrive in is always when the plot is against you
Coming into this game we knew it was going to be tough. Osasuna was 5th in the league and had the 3rd best home record of any La Liga team to add to that, we went down a goal early on and then went down a man.
Things were stacking up against us, Things were looking irreversible in this game but we did it, we once again dragged ourselves to victory. And what a goal to seal it, from Raphinha, one of the most criticized players in the squad after his big-money move from the premier league.
What this goal means?
We will go into the World Cup break on top of the league as we’ve created a gap that Madrid can’t eclipse in one game. And with the 53-day absence from league football, we will rest easy at the summit.
The Line-Up?
The only change Xavi made to the team that faced Almeria at the weekend was Andreas Christensen coming in for Pique. It is a pretty much like-for-like change.
Xavi keeping the faith in Dembele, in Ferran, in the frontline. Something that didn’t really pay off in this game, especially the decision to keep Busquets in this game, was a bad decision for him.
We saw a lack of energy, a lack of intensity from him. He could not keep up with the press from Osasuna and that there sounds so ironic because we’ve always known Sergio Busquets as one of the most press-resistant players on the planet but not anymore he isn’t. He was targeted a lot by the Osasuna press and his poor control in the box led to the Osasuna corner that eventually lead to the opening Goal.
Raphinha’s Impact
I had to give massive praise to Raphinha, not just because of his goal but also the way he played and the composure he played with.
Even at the end, he was not given away the ball, he was looking after it, winning corners, and running the clock down. He played with a lot of maturities and a lot of quality while having himself a phenomenal cameo when it really mattered.
When the pressure was on, He stepped up.
This game, just like the one vs Valencia is proof that this group of players are fighters. They can be winners and evidence is the fact that they are top of the league right now.