Barcelona, ​​​​a step away from the title: what is missing to lift the first championship from the farewell of Lionel Messi

The front pages of the Catalan media opted for the same headline: “Jordi Alba’s league goal”. And he’s the one with a slightly agonizing left side, one of best friends with Lionel Messi, Barcelona he beat 1-0 Osasuna at the Camp Nou and was one step away from establishing itself after four years because real Madridthe shooting guard, fell 2-0 during his visit to Royal society. Thus, the culé cast will lift the title if they win the classic next Sunday against Espanyol -who are fighting not to relegate- as visitors. It would be the first championship since Leo emigrated to France.

It was a tough, tough match, poorly played. Osasuna were dropped in Catalonia and defended heroically, much more so after defender Jorge Herrando was sent off in the 22nd minute of the first phase. From there, it was a monologue from Barcelona playing with defenders just meters from the opposing box. But rival goalkeeper, Aitor Fernández, stopped everything thrown at him.

He sought coach Xavi when he sent Ansu Fati, Ferrán Torres and Ousmane Dembélé onto the field. However, the most successful substitution was made by Jordi Alba for Álex Balde in the 30th minute of the match. And is that the team received an assist from Frenkie de Jong and finished with three fingers at the near post to make the Camp Nou delirious. “I’m happy with the goal because he doesn’t take another step towards scoring. We haven’t won the championship for a long time”the 34-year-old defender said with tears in his eyes.

“Jordi Alba loves Barça like few others. He doesn’t play everything he wants and deserves, but he always helps and adds to the group. He’s happy and he got this award he deserves”, underlined the captain Sergio Busquets. Furthermore, the historic central midfielder has announced that next week he will communicate whether the club will continue or not. “I’ve more or less thought about the future, now there are a few days off and when I come back I will definitely notify the coach”, he snapped.

Shortly after Barcelona’s victory, Real Madrid failed to gain a foothold in San Sebastián and lost 2-0 to Real Sociedad. Takefusa Kubo and Ander Barrenetxea scored the goals. The cast led by Carlo Ancelotti is left with 68 units, 14 less than Barça, when there are 15 points left.

Tuesday was not a positive day for Sebastián Beccacece, who went downhill with Elche. It was an impossible mission to save the team for peckIt is true, even if he has not been able to leave his mark on him even in the few parties in which he has been in office. This time they fell 2-1 to Almería and lost their group with 5 days left. In the losing cast, former Newell’s Ezequiel Ponce scored and Lisandro Magallán, Axel Werner, Lautaro Blanco and Lucas Boyé were the starters.

Of the 7 duels he led woodcockElche won one (4-0 against Rayo Vallecano) and lost the remaining 6 (Barcelona, ​​Osasuna, Girona, Valencia, Celta and Almería).