FC Barcelona came a step closer to the Copa del Rey semifinals last night after a 4-0 win against Osasuna in the Nou Camp. Bother Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi scored two goals each, the latter having been expected to miss the match due to flu and sitting most of the match out.
Barcelona quickly got into their stride, unlike Ream Madrid the night before who had gone two goals down in the first half, prompting coach Jose Mourinho to tell the press that he would have changed all 11 players at half time if he'd been able. While Real Madrid got back into the game to win 3-2 against Malaga, Osasuna never really got into the match at all, with barely 20 percent possession.
The first goal came from Cesc, set up by Alves and Xavi and once again new boy Cuenca showed that he has some real potential for the future. Xavi set up Cesc's second goal inside 20 minutes after a period of almost relentless attack. Osasuna must have felt they had no chance. It looked as they Barcelona should improve their score throughout the first half, but the break came with a 2-0 scoreline in Barcelona's favour.
The second half started with Barcelona on the attack and were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty. On three occasions it looked like Barça should be awarded a penalty but the referee thought otherwise. However, Lionel Messi, who had asked Pep Guardiola to let him play after responding well to treatment for his flu, came on and the remainder of the match was his.
His first goal came in the 74th minute when he headed the ball into the net after Osasuna failed to clear it from their area; Messi was ecstatic, as were his fellow players. And in injury time there was time for one last goal as Xavi found Messi on the side of the box - another goal for the Argentine.
Following the FC Barcelona v Osasuna match Osasuna has effectively given up on the Copa del Rey, the coach stating that they'll concentrate on their league matches. Assuming Barcelona makes it through to the quarter finals - and it is looking certain that they will at the moment with such a large goal difference - there is every likelihood that they will face Real Madrid. The quarter finals take place at the end of January and so football fans may well have another "clasico" to look forward to.
Read more about FC Barcelona v Osasuna and follow Barça's Copa del Rey progress at Simply Barcelona Tickets. There you can read match reports and news as well as buy Barcelona tickets for matches at the Nou Camp.
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