Barcelona defeat Osasuna to set up Clasico Super Cup final

Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal’s second-half strikes, on Thursday night, earned Barcelona a 2-0 win over Osasuna and set up a Spanish Super Cup final Clasico rematch.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid in last year’s final and will face their bitter rivals again on Sunday after Los Blancos beat Atletico Madrid in an eight-goal thriller in the first semi-final in Saudi Arabia.

Osasuna goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera, kept Barcelona at bay before Ilkay Gundogan slipped in veteran forward Lewandowski to open the scoring before the hour mark.

The 35-year-old has not been at his best this season but finished clinically to give his team the lead.

Yamal, 16, who replaced injured Raphinha, stroked home his first goal since October in stoppage time to clinch Barca’s victory.

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Beating Madrid last season in the Super Cup final earned Xavi Hernandez his first trophy as Barcelona coach and set up the Spanish champions nicely for their league title tilt.

The sides will do battle again at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh with Barcelona attempting to kick-start their season, which has started in disappointing fashion.

The victory over Osasuna was Barcelona’s first by more than a single goal since September, during an unconvincing run of form.

Barcelona midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, said: “It’s true that it’s been some time since we’ve won by more than a goal, but it doesn’t matter, it’s about winning, playing well, and we played a solid game.

“We have to improve, we are improving – it’s quite a new team this year with a lot of changes and you always need time to improve.

“You need time to get used to your team-mates, and we’ve had a lot of injuries too, we’re in that process and there’s a final against Madrid, it’s great, two top level teams.”

Xavi told reporters: “We want to take the ball off Madrid, that’s our DNA, we’re hugely motivated, it’s the moment to show our best football.

“We’re in another final, another Clasico, which was our main objective – we didn’t play a brilliant game, but a serious, sensible one.”

The Star