Barcelona secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday, December 13, 2025, with Raphinha scoring both goals at Spotify Camp Nou. The win extended Barcelona's lead at the top of the La Liga standings. After the match, teammates Eric Garcia and Raphinha spoke about the challenging game and midfielder Pedri's significant impact.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} ### Player Praise for Pedri's Influence Defender Eric Garcia highlighted Pedri's crucial role in breaking down Osasuna's stubborn defense. Garcia noted that Pedri consistently finds solutions when the game becomes difficult. "When things get a bit complicated in midfield, give the ball to Pedri, and he fixes everything," Garcia told the media.^[6][7] Garcia himself played as a defensive midfielder in the match, a role he has taken on in place of Frenkie de Jong.^[1] This versatility is seen as a boost for the team.^[6] Raphinha, who scored both goals, acknowledged the toughness of the opponent. He described the match as physically demanding. "We knew from the start that it would be a somewhat complicated match, a physically demanding one, against a team that knows how to defend well," Raphinha stated.^[1] His brace proved decisive in securing the three points for Barcelona.^[3][4] ### Match Details and Tactical Battle The game at Spotify Camp Nou was a hard-fought battle. Osasuna deployed a compact, low block defense, making it difficult for Barcelona to create scoring chances for much of the match.^[1][8][3][4] Barcelona dominated possession, holding an eye-watering 80 percent of the ball.^[4][9] However, they struggled to convert this dominance into goals in the first half.^[8][3] An early Barcelona goal by Ferran Torres was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review for a marginal offside in the build-up.^[3][4] Raphinha finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Pedri provided an incisive pass that cut through Osasuna's defense, setting up Raphinha for a powerful strike from the edge of the area.^{[8][10][4][5]} The Brazilian then sealed the victory with his second goal in the closing minutes, tapping home from close range after a cross.^[3][11] Osasuna's goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera, made several outstanding saves throughout the match, frustrating the home side.^[3][4] ### Pedri Sets New Club Record Beyond his crucial assist, Pedri delivered another impressive performance in midfield. He was effortless on the ball and worked hard defensively.^[8][10] His composure in dictating the game's tempo was commendable.^[10] The match also marked a significant milestone for the young midfielder. Pedri became the youngest player in Barcelona's history to make 150 appearances in La Liga.^[12] He achieved this record at 23 years and 18 days old, surpassing Lionel Messi's previous record set 15 years ago.^[12] Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praised Pedri's performance. Flick described Pedri as a "fantastic player, top class."^[12][9] He emphasized the importance of both Pedri and Raphinha in helping the team overcome the challenging circumstances presented by Osasuna's strong defense.^[9] Flick expressed satisfaction with the team's control of the match and their defensive solidity, which led to a clean sheet.^[9] ### League Implications and Future Fixtures The 2-0 win against Osasuna pushed Barcelona seven points clear at the top of the La Liga table.^[1][3][4][9] This lead is provisional, as second-placed Real Madrid has a game in hand.^[1][4][9] The victory extended Barcelona's winning streak in La Liga to seven matches.^[3][11] Barcelona will now aim to carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures. The team is set to travel for a Copa del Rey game on Tuesday, December 16, followed by their final league fixture of the year against Villarreal next Sunday.^[3][12] The ability to secure points in difficult matches like the one against Osasuna provides confidence to the squad as they navigate a demanding schedule across multiple competitions.^[1][6]

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