Match preview and lineup changes
When Barcelona rolled into Pamplona, the buzz was louder than the crowd at El Sadar. The undefeated La Liga leaders had already racked up seven wins, and manager Hansi Flick was itching for an eighth – a figure that would tie the best start the club ever enjoyed back in 2013 under Gerardo "Tata" Martino.
Flick wasn’t shy about the challenge. In his pre‑match press conference he praised the atmosphere, saying, "Osasuna are very strong at home, having earned 10 points there. The fans are intense, and I love it." The underline was clear: this wasn’t a walk‑over.
Barcelona’s recent 2‑1 win over Getafe had shown a glimpse of vulnerability. Their usual three‑plus goals a game were down, and the attack looked a little rusty. That sparked speculation about who would start, especially with a Champions League knockout against Young Boys looming.
The final XI reflected both caution and confidence. Iñaki Peña guarded the net, taking over from Marc‑André ter Stegen for this trip. The back line was shuffled: Jules Koundé earned a spot, while Alejandro Balde was left out in favour of Gerard Martín. Central defence paired Sergi Domínguez with the youngster Pau Cubarsí, giving Flick a blend of experience and youthful energy.
Midfield retained its creative heart with Pedri pulling the strings, while Eric García added defensive cover. Pablo Torre, a recent breakout, was also named, showing Flick’s willingness to reward form over reputation.
Osasuna, on the other hand, were comfortable with their own set‑up. Goalkeeper Sergio Herrera was between the sticks, and the defensive trio of Alejandro Catena, Enzo Boyomo and Juan Cruz Álvaro promised to make life difficult for any attacker daring to step into the box.
Key moments, tactics and what the result means
The game kicked off under a sky that seemed to echo the fans’ chants. Barcelona stuck to their classic 4‑2‑3‑1, looking to dominate possession early and force Osasuna back onto their heels. The home side, however, leaned into a compact 4‑4‑2, using the narrowness of the pitch to clog passing lanes.
Right from the first half, Barcelona’s high press tested Osasuna’s defenders. Pedri’s quick one‑twos with the forwards carved out a few half‑chances, but the ball often found its way out to the flanks where Osasuna’s wingers tried to exploit the space left by Barcelona’s advancing full‑backs.
The first breakthrough came in the 23rd minute. A clever diagonal ball from Pedri found Jules Koundé making a late run into the box. Koundé nodded past Herrera, and the ball slid to the far post where a leaping forward tapped it home. The roar from the Pamplona crowd was deafening, and the scoreline forced Barcelona to rethink their approach.
Flick responded by pulling the midfield back a notch, adding an extra defensive midfielder to shield the back four. The change gave the team more stability but also dampened their attacking fluidity. Osasuna seized the moment – a quick counter‑attack saw Catena unleash a thunderous strike from just outside the area, leveling the game at 1‑1.
As the second half unfolded, the match turned into a chess game. Barcelona’s wingers tried to stretch the defence, while Osasuna’s midfielders dropped deeper to block passing routes. The pace slowed, but the stakes rose. Every foul felt like a potential turning point, especially with the Champions League fixture just days away.
- Barcelona’s possession hovered around 58%, showing they still controlled the tempo.
- Osasuna generated 7 clear‑cut chances, proving the venue’s intimidating reputation isn’t just talk.
- Both goalkeepers made crucial saves – Peña with a reflex dive on the edge of the box, Herrera with a fingertip stop from a low drive.
In the 78th minute, Barcelona finally found the net again. A swift combination between Pedri and the forward created space on the right. The ball was whipped in, and a late‑arriving midfielder headed it past Herrera for a 2‑1 lead. The stadium fell silent, but the Catalans didn’t relax. Flick introduced a fresh attacking option, hoping to add fresh legs for a final push.
The final ten minutes were a scramble. Osasuna threw men forward, looking for an equaliser. Barcelona, now defending a slim lead, fell back into a disciplined block, using the midfield duo of García and Torre to beat the press.
When the whistle finally blew, the scoreline read 2‑1 in favour of Barcelona. The result kept their unbeaten run intact and gave them the coveted eighth victory, tying the historic start set nearly twelve years ago.
Beyond the three points, the match served as a reality check for Flick. The narrow margin exposed defensive lapses that could haunt them against stronger European opponents. It also highlighted the depth of Barcelona’s squad – players like Gerard Martín and Pablo Torre stepped up when called.
For Osasuna, the loss was a bitter pill, but the performance reinforced why El Sadar is one of La Liga’s toughest places to play. Their ability to pressure a top‑side team for most of 90 minutes will fuel confidence for the next few fixtures.
Looking ahead, Barcelona now faces Young Boys in the Champions League. The lessons from Pamplona – tighter defending, smarter rotations, and maintaining attacking sharpness – will be crucial. If they can carry the momentum forward, the record‑breaking start could become more than a statistic; it could set the tone for a title‑winning season.