Barcelona now have one hand firmly on the La Liga title following their narrow 1-0 win over CA Osasuna at Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
A late goal from substitute Jordi Alba settled matters in favour of the Blaugrana, taking them 14 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who would go on to lose to Real Sociedad later in the night.<\/p>\n
Now, Barcelona can be confirmed as the league champions when they take on local rivals Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium in less than two weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
While it was not a vintage performance from the Blaugrana on the night, Frenkie de Jong was one of the players who stood out head and shoulder above the rest with his all-round display in midfield. The Dutchman even got the assist for the match winner.<\/p>\n
And, speaking after the match, manager Xavi Hernandez hailed De Jong, saying: \u201cWe have found the perfect position for Frenkie de Jong. He played a great game today, he\u2019s at an extraordinary level. He has always said he wants to stay.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrenkie is an extraordinary player who makes a difference when he is at the base of the midfield with Busquets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xavi also claimed that Barcelona were now one step closer to winning the league title, but lamented the number of chances that his team missed on the night, as he said:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very important step, I think we suffered too much. We have missed very clear chances, and seeing the minutes go by\u2026 But hey, Jordi Alba\u2019s goal came.<\/p>\n
\u201cLa Liga is almost won. These six points were very important to us after the defeat in Vallecas\u2026 Now we\u2019re waiting for what happens in San Sebasti\u00e1n. These six points are a giant step.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the win was a positive, Barcelona lost two players, Raphinha and Gavi, to knocks during the game, with the duo having to be subbed off. Xavi provided an update on their condition, saying:<\/p>\n
\u201cRaphinha had a knee problem and at the start of the second half, he said he couldn\u2019t continue. That\u2019s why we accelerated and Ousmane came on. We believe that Raphinha\u2019s thing is just a blow and that Gavi\u2019s is nothing important either.\u201d<\/p>\n
The manager also had words of praise for match-winner Alba, who continues to make vital contributions despite not being a regular in the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlba is being an example for the team. I\u2019m particularly happy because I know it\u2019s a complicated situation because he\u2019s always been a starter and suddenly he\u2019s not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJordi Alba is an extraordinary passer, he could be a midfielder because he sees the last pass very well, he decides very well in the final third,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The chat then moved to Ansu Fati, who had come on to replace Gavi in the first half, and the chance he missed late in the game, on which Xavi commented:<\/p>\n
\u201cAnsu Fati has been very good, only the goal was missing\u2026 In training you see that he scores, but not today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen Ansu well, but it doesn\u2019t help that the media say he\u2019s for sale. There are headlines today that he\u2019s for sale for \u20ac70 million. If you want to help a player, that doesn\u2019t add up,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Talking about the exit operations that the club will have to undertake in the summer, Xavi said: \u201cI have to make decisions. I have to decide who will continue and who will not be in the team next season.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the same time, he refused to comment on Lionel Messi\u2019s two-week suspension at PSG, saying: \u201cI can\u2019t comment on Messi\u2019s situation with his club. I don\u2019t know the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: Bar\u00e7aTV+<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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