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Barça hit four at the Camp Nou

Copa del Rey: Barcelona-Osasuna: Cesc FábregasBarça produced another fine performance last night in their Copa del Rey tie against Osasuna. The Little Red Ones proved to be no trouble for the Catalans and Barcelona near enough ensured their place in the next round, baring any major shock in the second leg.

In the first five minutes of the match Osasuna were pressuring Barça in their own half and won the first chance at goal after a Piqué handball gifted them a free kick just outside the box. This was not a worry though as Piqué made up for his error by blocking the shot on Pinto's goal.

From then on it was all Barça. Never ending pressure from Barcelona meant Osasuna could no longer keep them out. After a wide Dani Alves shot, Xavi pulled in defenders leaving Cesc Fàbregas (14) with time and space to slot the ball past Asier Riesgo.

The home fans did not have to wait much longer for the second goal of the night. As Xavi and Fàbregas (18) linked up again and the ex-Arsenal man pulled off an exquisite chip to leave the keeper redundant. Only 4 minutes and 11 seconds after their opener.

Smelling blood, Barcelona began to play a style all too familiar to the footballing world. Achieving 80% possession, Barcelona play keep-ball so well it's as if someone is controlling them on their Xbox. Constantly creating triangles of precise passes, it seems hardly fair that a team should have such quality and unity.

Barcelona did not have a set centre forward but instead a line of attackers that would each make perfectly timed runs for Xavi to pick out. Xavi was proving to be the catalyst for all attacks, helped by a pacey Dani Aves who was allowed to forget his defensive duties and line up as part of the attacking line. The side went into half time in full control and attacked the second half with the same energy and determination.

During a routine series of passes for Barceloma, the crowd was given something to cheer about as a returning Lionel Messi, who only made the bench after returning from the winter break with flu, began his warm up. Messi, acknowledging his undying support, interacted with the crowd like the down-to-earth player he is.

Barcelona could be feeling a little hard done by though as referee Fernández Borbalán waved away appeals at what looked like a clear cut penalty.

The introduction of Messi at the 59th minute gave Barcelona an injection of fresh pace. The Argentinean did not need any time to adjust, proving to the Osasuna defenders that their night isn't over yet.

José Luos Mendilibar tried to freshen up things by bringing in two pairs of fresh legs, Lamah and Puñal. But the Osasuna players can be forgiven for lacking in confidence after manager, Medilibar, was quoted saying there was no way they could beat Barcelona. Reverse physcology tactics or not, this was a risky way to motivate your team.

It was a rare sight on the 73rd minute when Messi rose well to head home a beautifully weighted cross from Fàbregas.

3-0 up, rising star Cuenca made way for Sánchez and Barcelona looked to put this game out of sight. Star man Fàbregas was substituted on the 87th minute to a standing ovation and Barça fans seemed satisfied with what they had seen tonight.

Messi wasn't satisfied though. Having already been on the score sheet, Messi wriggled through multiple defenders and finessed the ball into the bottom left corner. Killing the game off if it wasn't dead already.

Barcelona would seem to have put this tie to rest and can now focus on their upcoming league game against Espyanol on Sunday.

Full time result: Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna

Goalscorers: Barcelona: Fàbregas (14 & 18), Messi (73 & 92) Osasuna:

Team Lineup:
Barcelona: Pinto, Alves, Piqué, Puyol, Mascherano, Busquets, Xavi, Thiago, Cuenca (Sánchez 74), Fàbregas (Keita 87), Pedro (Messi 59) Subs: Adriano, Fontàs, Oier
Formation: 4-3-3


Osasuna: Asier Riesgo, Damiá, Lolo, Sergio, Raitala, Cejudo (Lamah 67), Nekounam, Timor, Annunziata (Ibrahima 84), Torres (Puñal 71), Leka Subs: Ricardo, Miguel Flafio, Calleja, Satrustegui
Formation: 4-2-3-1

Stadium: Camp Nou

Referee: Fernández Borbalán

Attendance: 99,786

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