Barcelona get past Osasuna with help of two Messi assists
Barcelona march on with Osasuna victory
PAMPLONA: Coach Ronald Koeman hailed Barcelona’s next generation of exciting talents after 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba became the latest teenager to make his mark by scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win at Osasuna on Saturday.
Barca fielded seven players aged 23 or under but substitute Ilaix made the biggest impact, smashing into the net from outside the box to clinch victory after Jordi Alba had broken the deadlock.
Lionel Messi set up both goals in Pamplona.
As a player under great Dutch coach Johan Cruyff, Koeman was part of a Barca side fuelled by youngsters including Pep Guardiola and he is now overseeing a team crammed with youthful talent.
“The most important thing for me is that the players are competitive. For me age doesn’t count, what counts is what I see on the pitch,” Koeman told reporters after Barca moved to within two points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Koeman praised the impact of fellow Dutchman Frenkie de Jong and US international Sergino Dest, big-money recruits from Ajax Amsterdam, as well as homegrown players such as Oscar Mingueza, Ilaix, Riqui Puig and forward Ansu Fati.
“Players like Pedri, Ilaix, Riqui, Mingueza and Ronald Araujo have proven they have a great future. And as a coach I’ve always given youngsters a chance as they’re the future of a club,” he said. Ilaix was also delighted with his goal. “I won’t forget this day as long as I live,” he said.
The victory cranked up the pressure on last night’s Madrid derby as Barca edged two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
While Barcelona sustained momentum from their midweek victory in the cup, Sevilla failed to bounce back, instead sinking to another loss away at Elche earlier on Saturday.
Raul Guti and Guido Carrillo sealed a crucial 2-1 win for Elche, with Luuk de Jong adding a late consolation for Sevilla, who have now lost three consecutive matches in eight days.
They sit six points ahead of Real Sociedad in fifth. Elche climb to 17th, two points above the bottom three.