Barcelona Player Ratings vs Osasuna: 8/10 Messi the only positive; 6 or less for everyone else

Lionel Messi was the only bright spot for Barcelona as they were defeated 2-1 by Osasuna in their penultimate La Liga game of the season at Camp Nou.

Former Barcelona man Jose Arnaiz opened the scoring for Osasuna on his return to Camp Nou, bundling home Pervis Estupinan’s cross. The hosts came close to scoring soon after, but Lionel Messi saw his free-kick bounce off the bar before he had another effort saved close to half-time.

Early in the second half, the Catalans seemed to have equalised through Martin Braithwaite, but the goal did not stand as Messi was offside in the buildup.  Just after the hour mark, though, the Argentine levelled things up with a brilliant curling free-kick.

Barcelona then had another goal chalked off as Luis Suarez, who scored with an acrobatic volley, was in an offside position. The visitors were left with just ten men for the final 15 minutes as substitute Enric Gallego was sent off, but the Blaugrana failed to make the most of the numerical advantage.

Deep into stoppage time, Osasuna reclaimed their lead, with Roberto Torres finishing past ter Stegen. Seconds later, Suarez saw his effort hit the post as Barcelona succumbed to a shock defeat, in the process failing in the defence of the La Liga title. And here’s how we rated the performances of the Barcelona stars on the night.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 5/10

The German was called into action just five minutes in, but made a smart save from Jose Arnaiz. Made two more stops over the course of the game, which were pretty much straightforward. There wasn’t a lot he could have done to stop the visitors’ two goals.

Nelson Semedo: 4/10

Starting at right-back, the Portuguese international worked hard for the duration he was on the pitch, but struggled to cope with the forays of Pervis Estupinan. Osasuna’s first goal came from his flank and he didn’t offer much of an outlet going forward either. Subbed off around the hour mark.

Gerard Pique: 6/10

The veteran Barcelona defender was pretty much solid at the back, as he won his fair share of aerial duels, while making two interceptions, two tackles and three clearances on the night. Assured on the ball, as he completed the most number of passes on the night (92).

However, Pique left Barcelona exposed late on as he pressed up in search of a winner, which allowed Osasuna to score the winner. Booked.

Clement Lenglet: 5.5/10

Much like his partner at the heart of the backline, Lenglet, too, was crisp in his distribution from the back. Fared decently in the defensive phase for much of the game and made two clearances and an interception. However, he could have done better to try and stop Torres scoring the late winner.

Junior Firpo: 3/10

Handed a start ahead of Jordi Alba on the left side of the Barcelona defence, Junior Firpo struggled on his rare appearance on Thursday night. Did not offer much in terms of attacking support down the left flank while being an unreliable presence at the back. Replaced late in the game.

Sergi Roberto: 6/10

Reinstated to the middle of the park after having played in defence last time out, the Spaniard had a decent outing. Tried to make things happen going forward, completing two key passes, while doing his best to help out defensively. Moved to right-back for the final half an hour, where he continued to offer a steady presence.

Ivan Rakitic: 5/10

Starting ahead of Sergio Busquets as the deepest of the three midfielders, the Croat kept Barcelona ticking, but lacked that bit of creativity to help open the Osasuna defence. Wasn’t the most assured presence in the defensive phase of the game either. Subbed off.

Riqui Puig: 6/10

Back in the starting lineup, the Barcelona academy graduate brought the energy and enterprise in the middle of the park for the hosts. Tried to make things happen each time he was on the ball, especially in the first half. Influence waned after half-time, however, and he was replaced by Frenkie de Jong. Finished the game with 2 key passes and completed 66 of his 70 attempted passes.

Lionel Messi: 8/10

The best Barcelona player by a country mile, the little magician from Argentina looked the only player who looked up for the challenge on the night. Messi came close to scoring in the first half, but was denied by the woodwork, before Sergio Herrera saved a goal-bound effort.

Messi did eventually find the back of the net with a curling free-kick and continued to make things happen in the final third despite being crowded out by the visitors. Created the chance for both Braithwaite and Suarez’s disallowed goals. Ended the game with 4t key passes – the most by any player on the night, while completing 6 out of 8 of his attempted dribbles. Deserved better support from those around him.

Martin Braithwaite: 5/10

Handed a starting berth as the centre-forward ahead of Luis Suarez, the emergency signing hardly got going. Did show signs of some effective link-up with Messi, but hardly caused any trouble to a packed Osasuna defensive unit. Had a goal ruled out in the second period before being taken off.

Ansu Fati: 5.5/10

Starting on the left side of the front three, the teenage prospect showed glimpses of quality, but was often found wanting in his end product and decision-making, which hurt Barcelona’s chances. Not lacking for effort as he worked tirelessly to try and create an opening, but wasn’t able to do so against a well-drilled Osasuna defensive unit.

SUBSTITUTES

Arturo Vidal: 5/10

Replaced Semedo a little before the hour mark and slotted in the middle, with Roberto moving to right-back. Offered energy, but couldn’t help change the course of the game.

Luis Suarez: 6/10

Came on for Braithwaite for the final thirty minutes or so and seemed to liven things up a bit in the final third. Scored a wonderful acrobatic goal, but was marginally offside. Almost pulled off a late equaliser immediately after Osasuna’s second, but his effort hit the post.

Sergio Busquets: 4/10

Came on for Rakitic in the 67th minute. Gave the ball away with a careless header leading to Osasuna’s winning goal late in the game.

Frenkie de Jong: N/A

Made his return from injury, coming on in place of Puig for the final ten minutes or so. Looked bright in his short time on the field.

Jordi Alba: N/A

Thrown on in place of Firpo in the 80th minute. A lively cameo from the Spaniard, who provided a decent outlet down the left flank.