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Huesca logo
La Liga | Gameweek 17
Jan 3, 2021 at 8pm UK
Estadio El Alcoraz
Barcelona logo

Huesca
0 - 1
Barcelona


Ontiveros (84'), Michel (88')
FT(HT: 0-1)
de Jong (27')

Ronald Koeman pleased with Martin Braithwaite, Ousmane Dembele

Ronald Koeman's men are now fifth in the table.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman described January as "very important for our aspirations" after his team won 1-0 at LaLiga basement boys Huesca in the first of four successive away games.

Barca secured victory via Frenkie De Jong's 27th-minute finish, with Lionel Messi providing a fine assist on his return to the team after an ankle injury – the Argentina superstar's 750th appearance for the club and 500th in LaLiga.

Koeman's men are now fifth in the table, 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have played one game fewer.

Barca's next match is at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, and they are then at Granada three days later and Elche on January 24.

Koeman was quoted by Marca as saying in his post match press conference: "This month is very important for our aspirations because we have lots of games away from home and, if we win them, I think we can fight.

"We've seen this weekend that it's not easy to win away from home. If a team (above us) goes on a bad run, the gap can be closed, but it depends on us winning."

Barca only registered once despite numerous attempts on goal, including two Messi efforts that were well saved by Huesca goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez, while the hosts went close through on-loan Wolves forward Rafa Mir and saw a late push for an equaliser prove in vain.

Koeman said: "We can improve on our final ball, on picking up positions inside the box.

"I'm happy with Frenkie's goal because we want our midfielders to get into the opposition box. We hope to be more clinical because you win games easier (like that)."

Koeman made four changes from the laboured 1-1 draw with Eibar on Tuesday – Antoine Griezmann was among those dropping to the bench as Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite started in attack.

"I trust every player in our squad, but if we choose to have three central midfielders, there's room for three forwards," said Koeman, who brought Griezmann on with around 10 minutes to go.

"With Leo, we went for someone who gets in behind more like Dembele and we have to choose between Martin or Antoine up front.

"Martin did well. He's the number nine we need in these types of games but leaving Griezmann on the bench means nothing. We have lots of games and we need every player.

"(Dembele) is a player we need because we're missing Ansu Fati, who is also a striker who can play out wide. He gets in behind the opposition, he's good one-on-one...

"It's always important to have one who gets in behind to take advantage of the quality of Leo and the midfielders."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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