Ferran Torres scores 2 in Barca’s 4-0 romp over Osasuna

Barcelona, Spain, Mar 13 (EFE).- Barcelona maintained its cruise velocity in La Liga action on Sunday, notching its fourth consecutive win in a 4-0 drubbing of Osasuna, which was overwhelmed right from the start at Camp Nou and never even threatened the net guarded by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

The first two tallies were sunk by Ferran Torres, number one on a penalty kick after Nacho Vidal fouled Gavi in the 14th minute and number two just seven minutes later when he fired the ball underneath Osasuna netminder Sergio Herrera after receiving a brilliant assist from Dembele.

It was Dembele again providing the assist on the third tally, knocking a precise pass from the right to Aubameyang, who sent it home in the 27th minute.

Only with the score up 3-0 did Jagoba Arrasate’s team, which had to do without its best player, the sanctioned Chimy Avila, start to get things marginally together, albeit their possessions came up empty and their plays died far from the Barca net.

The Catalan squad, however, was in top form, playing brilliant and quick soccer, passing well and putting on a dynamic show for the 54,507 spectators in the stands.

Although clearly in control, it wasn’t until the 75th minute that Barca scored its fourth goal, this one coming from the recently inserted Riqui Puig, who fired one that was deflected by Herrera directly back to him, whereupon he sent it home the second time.

Barcelona, which a few weeks ago was fighting to get into Champions League competition, is now eyeing the No. 2 spot in La Liga, just five points behind Sevilla – who have stumbled – and with a game in hand. Next, they will go on the road against Real Madrid, who lead the league and will be 10 points ahead of the pack if they win against Mallorca on Monday, in the Classico in Bernabeu Stadium.

Lineups:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Pique (Lenglet, min.62), Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba (Mingueza, min.79); Sergio Busquets, Pedri (Riqui Puig, min.73), Gavi; Dembele, Aubameyang (Memphis, min.73) and Ferran Torres (Braithwaite, min.79).

Osasuna: Sergio Herrera; Nacho Vidal, David Garcia (Aridane, min.46), Cote, Juan Cruz; Moncayola, Lucas Torro (Unai Garcia, min.46), Javi Martinez (Darko, min.73): Iker Benito (Budimir, min.67), Kike Garcia and Ruben Garcia (Roberto Torres, min,46).

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