Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Dani
Alves, Gabi Milito (Xavi 65'), Mascherano, Maxwell; Thiago, Busquets, Keita;
Jeffren (Iniesta 46'), David Villa (Messi 57'), Afellay. 4-3-3.
Osasuna: Ricardo; Nelson, Miguel Flaño, Lolo,
Monreal; Nekounam, Vadócz; Damià (Pandiani 79'), Camuñas,
Cejudo (Calleja 86'); Kike Sola (Timor 80'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 23. Villa. Fired ball in on far post after
Jeffren crossed in from left wing.
2-0. 87. Messi. Ran on to Dani Alves
pass and turned shot past Ricardo.
Yellow cards: Alves 49', Nekounam 76', Keita 80', Timor 84'.
A tired Barcelona side struggled at times to beat Osasuna 2-0 on Saturday evening, keeping up their eight point gap over Real Madrid. Villa, Afellay and Jeffren all failed to take their chances before Villa got on the end of Jeffen's cross to score his first goal in eleven games. However the visitors could have equalised before the break, Nekounam and Vadócz both going close and Valdés pushing an effort from Damià against the post. Guardiola had rested some of his key players for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, but he had to resort to Iniesta and Messi and Xavi after the restart, and although Iniesta did cause some problems, Messi only wrapped things up for the leaders with three minutes to go. The defeat leaves Osasuna just two points above the drop zone, and they could find themselves in the bottom three if results go against them later this weekend.