Sunday, 18th September, 2011

Barcelona thrashed Osasuna 8-0 at the Camp Nou yesterday and left the visitors’ coach Jose Luis Mendilibar lamenting the fact that his side had met the Catalans when they did.

The Spanish and European Champions had been criticised and were coming off the back of two consecutive draws, with Real Sociedad and AC Milan – a fact Mendilibar is convinced spurred the hosts on.

Barcelona needed just five minutes to open the scoring through Lionel Messi, while Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, an own goal and another from Messi ensured the contest was over at half-time, with the hosts leading 5-0.


Xavi, Villa again and Messi to complete his hat-trick, all struck in the second half, rounding the score up to an impressive 8-0.

Mendilibar was left reflecting on feeling the full might of Barcelona and bemoaned his side’s luck at having to face the Catalans at such a moment.

"Today they didn’t want to leave any doubt and scored eight", said the Osasuna boss.

"If the team was tense and playing at 100%, they don’t score eight, but five, like against Villarreal.

"We caught the happy-angry-mini-crisis."

But Mendilibar is not concerned about the defeat having a lasting impact on his team, feeling they must bounce back.

"We have no time to mourn. The players are devastated, but you have to think about the next game."


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