Barcelona: Barcelona ground out a 1-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga on Wednesday as Xavi Hernandez began his long goodbye as mentor of the bosses.
Atletico Madrid stay third, in front of the fourth-place Catalans, after Memphis Depay grabbed them a late 2-1 success over Rayo Vallecano.
Previous Barcelona midfield extraordinary Xavi said he was venturing down toward the finish of the time following a weighty loss last end of the week abandoned the Catalans 11 focuses association pioneers Girona.
Barcelona slice that down to eight with a generally dreary success over their mid-table guests, procured by youthful Brazilian striker Vitor Roque’s most memorable objective for the club.
Osasuna had protector Unai Garcia shipped off for two yellow cards yet Barcelona couldn’t take care of the game.
The Catalans likewise trail second-place Genuine Madrid by seven regardless of playing an additional one match.
Xavi lauded his players for the triumph and said they responded well after their difficult 5-3 loss by Villarreal last end of the week.
“The changing area has soul, we are a family, today we realize that we would respond in an extremely sure manner,” said the mentor.
Xavi said he was happy for Roque after he struck his most memorable objective for the club.
“I’m exceptionally glad for him, he had possibilities (in different games) however didn’t take them, today it’s come finally, his objective today is enormously certain,” he added.
Subsequent to driving Barcelona to La Liga magnificence last season, Xavi’s group disintegrated and in January were whipped in the Spanish Super Cup last by Genuine Madrid and took out of the Copa del Rey.
Xavi demanded he would battle on to attempt to win La Liga and the Bosses Association, trusting his choice would change the group’s dynamic yet the first-half execution was all around as deadened as any in his two-year residency.
Ferran Torres limped off with a thigh injury in the primary half to add to Barcelona’s concerns, with early reports proposing he might miss the Bosses Association last 16 outing to Napoli on February 21.
Robert Lewandowski headed Barcelona’s most obvious opportunity wide in the primary half.
After the break dangerous 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal, beginning his fourth game in 11 days for Barca, swung in an eminent cross which Gundogan sent barely wide.
It rejuvenated the crisp Olympic Arena, for certain fans reciting Xavi’s name and the mentor sent on Roque.
The 18-year-old, nicknamed Tigrinho – – little tiger – – was very quickly on the scoresheet, netting with a savvy header at the close to post from Joao Cancelo’s sublime cross.
Roque’s next contribution was to draw a foul from Garcia, who was excused for hauling the striker down.
Raul Garcia cut the post with a low exertion after Osasuna grabbed the ball back high up, which was essentially as close as Jagoba Arrasate’s side came at the opposite end.
Lewandowski twisted home a second for Barcelona however it was refused for an unmistakable offside and the hosts hung on for the places.
“I think Vitor places a great deal of speed into the game, he has objectives, he’ll present to us a ton,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri told DAZN.
“He loosens up continually and that is significant for the midfielders.”
Diego Simeone’s Atletico right away returned over the Catalans on objective distinction after Depay wounded home in the 91st moment against Rayo.
Protector Reinildo Mandava headed the Rojiblancos ahead in the 37th moment from Rodrigo Riquelme’s crossed free-kick.
Alvaro Garcia wonderfully discharged Rayo level at the Metropolitano arena before half-time, with a depiction from 16 yards out which whistled past Jan Oblak and into the furthest corner.
Depay thought he had put Atletico ahead after Pablo Barrios strung him through, however his objective was precluded for a tight offside.
The Dutch forward, previously of Barcelona, in the long run struck for the third continuous game when Antoine Griezmann tracked down him with a low cross. Rayo mentor Francisco was shipped off for grumbling in the result, as Atletico fans celebrated fiercely.
