Player ratings as Vitor Roque scores first Barca goal

Young Brazilian forward Vitor Roque was the hero as he scored his first Barcelona goal in Wednesday night’s 1-0 victory over Osasuna.

This was Barca’s first game since manager Xavi revealed that he’ll be leaving his post at the end of a so far underwhelming 2023/24 season.

Their performance in midweek did little to suggest that a major resurgence is afoot, but the victory did lift them back up to third in La Liga as they closed the gap on leaders Girona to eight points.

How the game unfolded

A sense of apathy prevailed in Montjuic in the wake of Xavi’s announcement, with many wondering exactly how his decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season would impact his players: liberation or further collapse?

The first half on Wednesday night did little to answer such questions, with Xavi’s injury woes deepening very early on as Ferran Torres was withdrawn with a hamstring issue. Substitute Fermin Lopez was one of few who appeared capable of troubling a diligent Osasuna backline, as the hosts controlled proceedings without testing the highly-regarded Aitor Fernandez.

Barca’s recent defensive woes ensured tension every time the visitors trudged forward, although they lacked the thrust to trouble a vulnerable backline. Sharpshooter Ante Budimir did have the best chance of the opening period, though, but he couldn’t steer his header goal bound.

There was little by way of a dynamic change after the restart, with Xavi having few options to turn to on his bench. Roque got his chance just after the hour, and the Brazilian flicked home his first Barcelona goal within a moment of his entrance from a stylish Joao Cancelo trivela cross.

Roque’s influence was felt again swiftly after as he drew the foul from Unai Garcia which resulted in the defender’s second yellow card. Despite their man disadvantage, Osasuna weren’t deterred and they came within a whisker of restoring parity when Raul Garcia’s dragged effort kissed the post.

There was a sense of trepidation regarding Barca’s lead despite the odds being stacked in their favour, but after defending a couple of dangerous set-pieces in stoppage time, the hosts clung on to a crucial victory.

GK: Inaki Pena – 6/10 – Finally, a fairly serene outing for the stand-in.

RB: Jules Kounde – 6/10 – Proved a threat from set pieces but couldn’t convert. Safe in possession, but was pretty steady defensively.

CB: Ronald Araujo – 7/10 – After struggling at the weekend, this was much more…