Barcelona faced Osasuna at Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon hungry to get their domestic form back on track.
The Catalans are flying in Europe, with a 100% record in the Champions League and qualification for the last 16 of the competition secured with two games to spare.
What’s more, they confirmed it last Tuesday in Ukraine with a 4-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv while leaving two key players, Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong, at home in Spain resting.
It is within this context they entered the clash with Osasuna, hungry for three points to transfer their quick start in Europe to La Liga.
The game was the first Barcelona have played since Diego Maradona passed away on Wednesday, and the club paid their respects to him before the game with a touching tribute. Maradona spent two years at Camp Nou.
The Blaugrana came close early doors when Antoine Griezmann cut back a ball far on the right side to open a path for Philippe Coutinho, only for the Brazilian’s effort to be subsequently cleared off the line.
Then, on the stroke of half-an-hour, Barcelona broke through. Messi swept a magnificent ball out left to find Jordi Alba, who centred for Coutinho.
The Brazilian’s effort was parried out, but Martin Braithwaite was on hand to step up and bundle it over the line. Messi looked like he was tempted to imitate Maradona’s infamous Hand of God moment to ensure it crossed the line, but restrained himself.
Shortly after, Barcelona doubled their lead through Antoine Griezmann. The ball fell to the Frenchman at the edge of the box after a slick team move broke down, and he made no mistake with his sumptuous volley.
Barcelona made it 3-0 through Coutinho just shy of the hour mark, who made up for his earlier misses with a neat finish after a selfless assist from Antoine Griezmann.
The hosts then saw a goal ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside before, moments after restarting, Messi came up with the goods to make it four with a stunning finish from outside the box.
The Argentine then celebrated with a touching tribute to Maradona. Messi took off his Barcelona shirt to reveal that underneath he had a Newell’s Old Boys shirt with the number ten on the back before gesturing to the heavens.
Messi began his career with Newell’s and Maradona played for them during the final years of his career. It was a truly touching tribute between two of the greatest players to have ever played the game.
Oh my word…MAGIC from Messi! 🔥
And he celebrates by revealing a Maradona Newell's Old Boys jersey under his Barca shirt ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Swreif0daf
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) November 29, 2020
Featured image courtesy of FC Barcelona.
I am greatly excited to be a fan of FCB. Even though I am unable to travel to Spain and witness the games live, I am and will continue to be a die-hard supporter of this great club Barcelona FC. Please know that I am following you daily and find a way to send me some of your pictures and jersey.