Three things we learned from Barca’s draw with Osasuna

Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images

The champions dropped points again at El Sadar

Forget Neymar, Barca have a new star

Barcelona’s summer has been dominated by talk of a return for Neymar, but just as those rumors were dying down a new star emerged.

Ansu Fati had already written his name into the history books against Real Betis last weekend by becoming the second youngest player to appear for Barcelona in La Liga.

However, against Osasuna on Sunday he went one better as he netted his first goal for the club and made more history at El Sadar.

Ansu Fati, the youngest Barça goalscorer in #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/KmCxSvpPSH

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 31, 2019

The teenager arrived at half-time with Barcelona 1-0 down and had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he nodded home Carles Perez’s cross to become Barcelona’s youngest ever La Liga goalscorer at 16 years and 304 days.

It was an exciting moment for the youngster, Barcelona and the fans, particularly as El Sadar has been a fortress for Osasuna. The club have not conceded at home since back in April and had gone 26 games unbeaten prior to Barca’s visit.

There’s no doubt Ansu is a star in the making, he hasn’t even featured for Barcelona B yet, let’s hope he can go on and fulful his tremendous potential at the Camp Nou.

Arthur must start for Barcelona

Arthur made his first appearance of the season for Barcelona on Saturday after coming on at half-time and showed he really needs to be back in the starting XI.

The midfielder arrived late back for pre-season due to his exploits at the Copa America with Brazil but helped change the game after arriving at half-time against Osasuna.

He even popped up with his first goal for the club to make it 2-1 with a curled shot from the edge of the area that looked set to give Barcelona the win.

Congratulations on your first official goal for the club @arthurhromelo

#ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/IIAHgEtXBE

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 31, 2019

Of course the visitors could not hold on to the three points, but Arthur’s performance might have been enough to propel him back into the first team.

Barca endure worst start for over a decade

Barcelona’s draw on Saturday means the champions have only four points from their first three La Liga matches and have made their worst start for over a decade.

4 - Barcelona have collected just four points in LaLiga 2019/20 (W1 D1 L1), their worst start after their first three games since 2008/09, under Pep Guardiola (also four). Obstacle. pic.twitter.com/EGRFXnMFvI

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 31, 2019

Of course we all know that Barcelona went on to win the first treble in Spanish football history in 2008-09, but you won’t find too many supporters expecting that to happen this time around.

Gerard Pique said after the match that the team aren’t worried by their slow start and that “it’s important to remain united.”

While it’s been a disappointing start it’s worth remembernig that Barcelona have had to cope without Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele through injury, while the new signings are still trying to adjust and the Neymar transfer saga has proven to be a bit of a distraction.

The international break gives the club time to regroup and get some of their injured players back before La Liga resumes with a visit from Valencia and then a trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Source: barcablaugranes.com