Spanish giants Barcelona delivered a brilliant 3-0 victory over Osasuna at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Thursday night.
The victory ensures the Blaugrana are now three points clear at the summit of the La Liga table.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring early in the 11th minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse to slot home. Dani Olmo doubled the lead in the 17th minute from the spot after a foul by Osasuna’s goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera.
The Catalan giants maintained control throughout, limiting Osasuna to minimal attacking opportunities.
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Meanwhile, substitute Robert Lewandowski sealed the win in the 77th minute with a precise header as Barça secured maximum points.
However, the victory was hovershadowed by growing concerns over the congested fixture schedule. The match, originally postponed due to the sudden passing of Barcelona’s team doctor, was rescheduled under circumstances that frustrated both players and staff.
Flick and Koundé slam tight scheduling
After the match, Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, and defender Jules Koundé voiced their discontent over the demanding schedule.
Flick criticised the tight fixture list as he pointed out the physical strain it imposes on players. He specifically referenced the injury to Dani Olmo, who suffered a leg muscle issue during the game, as a direct consequence of the relentless match calendar.
Koundé echoed these sentiments as he called the scheduling a “lack of rspect to the players”. He also emphasised the growing toll it takes on the squad. He stressed that frequent matches with minimal recovery time increase the risk of injuries with the players forced to compete at suboptimal fitness levels. Flick added that while Barcelona managed to win convincingly, the long-term effects of such a schedule could be damaging.
Olmo’s injury adds to Barcelona’s woes
Despite his goal, Olmo’s night ended on a disappointing note as he was forced off with a leg muscle injury.
Initial reports suggest he could be sidelined for several weeks. If confirmed so, it would serve as a significant blow for Barcelona as they head into a crucial phase of the season. Flick lamented the loss, reiterating that the league’s scheduling played a direct role in Olmo’s injury.
With key matches on the horizon, including domestic and European fixtures, Barcelona must now find a way to prosecute their upcoming games without one of their most creative midfielders.
Tags: Dani Olmo, Hansi Flick, Jules Koundé, Barcelona, Osasuna, Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, fixture controversy, key injury, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnewsnigeria, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcnews, #nrtcsports, La Liga.
