Barcelona aims for 7-point lead against Osasuna in La Liga

FC Barcelona faced their first defeat of the 2024/2025 La Liga season on September 28, 2024, losing 4-2 to Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar. The match marked a significant upset as Barcelona had won all seven of their previous fixtures. Hansi Flick, the Barcelona head coach, made several rotations in the lineup, resting key players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, which may have contributed to the team's poor performance. Osasuna capitalized on this, with Ante Budimir scoring twice and Bryan Zaragoza playing a pivotal role in the victory. Despite a brief resurgence from Barcelona, who pulled one goal back through Pau Victor, Osasuna's dominance was evident as they maintained control throughout the match. Budimir's penalty solidified the win, and Abel Bretones added a sensational fourth goal. Barcelona's defeat not only halted their perfect start but also prevented them from equaling their club record of eight consecutive league wins. In the aftermath, Flick acknowledged the mistakes made by his team, particularly in the first half, and defended his decision to rotate players due to the congested fixture schedule. He expressed hope that the team would recover key players after the international break, which would provide more options moving forward. Osasuna's victory propelled them into sixth place in the league, showcasing their strong home form this season. Meanwhile, Barcelona remained at the top of the table, four points clear of Real Madrid, who were set to play Atletico Madrid in a crucial derby match soon after.