Barcelona’s perfect start to the 2024/25 La Liga season came to an abrupt end on Saturday as they fell to a 4-2 defeat against Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium.
The Catalan giants struggled to create chances and contain Osasuna’s attacking prowess throughout the match, marking Hansi Flick’s first defeat as Barcelona’s manager.
Osasuna dominated from the outset, with Ante Budimir opening the scoring with a header from Bryan Zaragoza’s cross. Zaragoza then doubled the lead, rounding Barcelona’s goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who was filling in for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona showed signs of life early in the second half when Pau Victor capitalized on a defensive error to pull one back. However, Osasuna quickly reasserted control as Budimir converted a penalty following a foul by Sergi Dominguez.
Abel Bretones extended Osasuna’s lead with a stunning strike for his first La Liga goal. Barcelona’s 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal scored a late consolation with a curling effort, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Barcelona’s first league defeat of the campaign.
“We were outplayed in every aspect of the game,” Flick said in the post-match press conference. “This is a wake-up call for us. We need to improve quickly.”
Osasuna’s manager, Jagoba Arrasate, praised his team’s performance: “We executed our game plan perfectly. This victory against Barcelona is a testament to our hard work and belief.”
The result raises questions about Barcelona’s depth and adaptability, especially in the absence of key players. For Osasuna, the win serves as a statement of intent for their season ambitions.
Barcelona will look to rebound in their next fixture, while Osasuna will aim to build on this significant victory as the La Liga season progresses.
