MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 15:26:42| >> :120:4126:4126:
[monks data]
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."

ID:429108: cacheID:429108:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6523:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona on December 19, 2020
Read Next:
Sunday's La Liga predictions including Huesca vs. Barcelona
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal137422521425
5Osasuna146441922-322
6GironaGirona146352018221
7Mallorca146351312121
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!