Barcelona left it very late on Sunday, beating Osasuna 1-0 with an 88th-minute strike from midfielder Xavi. The win helped the Catalans gain three crucial points on league leader Real Madrid, which lost, 2-0, to Almeria on Saturday. Real is now six points ahead of Barca at the top of the La Liga standings.
The Blaugrana believes it can stage a similar comeback to Real Madrid’s late season run last season. Thanks to poor form, injuries and infighting, the Merengues found themselves in third place heading into February but were nevertheless able to stage a remarkable late comeback to lift the La Liga title.
Barca knew a win would cut Real’s lead to six points heading into Sunday’s match. “Sometimes you have to win with your heart, not with your play, and that’s what we did,” French striker Thierry Henry told reporters. “There is time to return to playing well again, but the most important thing today was to win.” Italy fullback Gianluca Zambrotta added: “A week ago, everyone gave us up for dead, but we are still in it. Whether we played well or not is irrelevant, what’s important is the attitude.” Without African Nations Cup participants Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure and with Ronaldinho only just returning from injury, the Catalans have struggled to score goals. But Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said he wasn’t worried because the team has been creating chances.