Goals:
9′ [1 - 0] C.H. Tello
72′ [2 - 0] L. Messi
74′ [2 - 1] C. Vela

Barcelona

Goals from Cristian Tello and Lionel Messi had given the home side a 2-0 lead in the second half, but a well-taken goal from Carlos Vela in the latter stages of the game meant Pep Guardiola’s side endured a tense finish as Sociedad threw men forward in search of a draw.

Both sides missed opportunities in the opening exchanges, with first Bravo and then Victor Valdes being forced into making smart saves to keep out efforts from Lionel Messi and Diego Ifran respectively.

Tello broke the deadlock after nine minutes with a cool finish under Bravo after Messi had made amends for his earlier miss by playing a wonderfully weighted ball through to his younger team-mate.

The Sociedad keeper was again on hand to thwart Messi just minutes after Tello’s opener when he saved well from the Argentine after he had raced on to a neat Cesc Fabregas pass.

A combination of profligate finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score at just 1-0 in the first half.

Early in the second period another good save from Valdes stopped Antoine Griezmann from making the scores level after the Frenchman burst past Javier Mascherano.

The match became more competitive in the second period as Sociedad’s midfielder began to get on the ball more and create some goalscoring opportunities.

However Barcelona nearly went further ahead when Isaac Cuenca shot against the bar with an effort that Tello followed up on and struck an effort towards goal that would have made it 2-0 if Dani Alves had not got a touch from an offside position.

After missing a series of chances in the opening 70 minutes Messi eventually gave Barcelona a two-goal cushion with a well-taken half volley after a fine pass from Dani Alves.

However, Sociedad substitute Vela set up an exciting finale when he reduced the deficit just minutes later, slotting confidently under Valdes and into the back of the net after being found by a decent pass from Griezmann.

The home side withstood a series of late attacks from Sociedad to hold out for their win, but the joy at the three points will have been tarnished slightly by a potentially serious injury sustained by Sergio Busquets late on in the game.

Barcelona’s win cuts Real Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga back to seven points while Guardiola’s choice of resting the likes of Alexis, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique ensures his key players will be fresh ahead of their important Copa del Rey tie against Valencia on Wednesday. Sociedad remain in 13th place in La Liga following this defeat.  (Goal)

Barcelona

The 23-year-old collided with visiting defender Carlos Martinez in the 83rd minute of the encounter, but it is the Blaugrana man who has come off the worst after a deep cut in his right knee was caught by television cameras.

The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but shots of Barca pair Pep Guardiola and Cesc Fabregas have been shown to have put their hands to their face, seemingly from fearing the worst for the midfield anchorman.

It is expected that Busquets will undergo tests on Sunday, as Barcelona remain seven points behind Real Madrid in the Primera Division, in second place. (Goal)

Real Madrid

But the Portugal international insisted the act, which was missed at the time by the referee, was “unintentional”.

The 28-year-old was branded “shameful” and “embarrassing” in the Spanish press following the incident during the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu, which came when Messi was lying on the ground.

And in a statement on the club’s website, Pepe said: “I wish to say yesterday’s incident with Leo Messi was unintentional, but I nevertheless want to apologise to him if he was offended because all I do is defend my team and this institution.

“I give my heart and soul, and the thought of hurting a colleague has never entered my mind.”

The usually pro-Madrid newspaper Marca pulled few punches in its reaction to the incident.

After the match, coach Jose Mourinho said Pepe had played well for the team, but warned he would be punished if it was found he had deliberately stamped on Messi.

“I haven’t seen it, but obviously if it is deliberate he will be punished,” Mourinho said.

“What I can say is that he did a great job for the team.”

But Marca went further, suggesting Pepe’s long disciplinary record calls into question whether he should remain at the club.

Pepe received a 10-match ban during the 2008-09 season for kicking Getafe’s Francisco Casquero while he was on the ground.

Miguel Serrano wrote in the paper: “Real Madrid itself should act on its own and punish Pepe. And then, in time, study his future at the club. If he has one.”

On marca.com, Roberto Palomar wrote on his blog: “Real Madrid, in the form of (president) Florentino Perez, should consider very seriously getting rid of a player who is an embarrassment for Real Madrid, who lives up to neither the club’s history, nor the stature of his colleagues or the profession of football.

“The winter transfer window would be a good opportunity to get some money for him and avoid him every wearing the white shirt again. If there is any bit of sense at the club, this should have been his last match.”

In this match, Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi each scored two goals for Barca.

Watch Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna highlights here:

Barcelona

Barca won 4-0 at home. On the next leg, Barca will play away to Osasuna on January 13.

“Winning 4-0 is a perfect result,” Guardiola said after the game.

“But we must remember, the fight is not yet over. We still have to play at Pamplona and play again for 90 minutes,” he said.

Moreover, in the team’s training session earlier this year, several star players are ready to play. However, Lionel Messi, who came to Barcelona last after the holiday, most likely will not play.

Yes, Barcelona in recent years more often gives “special treatment” to Messi for not playing in the beginning of each year. If you look at the current condition of the front line, Messi’s chance to play is quite small.

Only David Villa and Ibrahim Afelley, are the attacking player who certainly absent due to injury. The rest, Josep Guardiola has the option of Alexis Sanchez, Pedro Rodriguez, Isaac Cuenca, Andres Iniesta, or even Cesc Fabregas.

Well, whether or not Messi will play, Barcelona’s chances for victory against Osasuna still remains large.

Barcelona

Speculations of the possibility of Guardiola leaving Catalunya had spread lately, and reportedly he is interested in trying out at other competitions. British media claimed Sir Alex Ferguson appoints Guardiola as the ideal figure to be his successor.

If Guardiola really leaves the Blaugrana in 2013, Rosell will appoint Bielsa as their new coach.

Before Barcelona face Bilbao at San Mames last November, Lionel Messi gave  praise to Bielsa, while Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez are said to be admirers ofBielsa.

However, Sport says Guardiola will stay with Barca at least for one more season.

Barcelona

Barcelona is now the second position in the Spanish La Liga standings behind Madrid. Both teams still have chances in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

“Real Madrid has always been a rival to the end. They usually become our biggest rivals in all competitions, “said Adriano in his statement to reporters.

“I think the situation remains the same this year, although it would be harder than previous seasons.”

The Brazilian then talked about the future of coach Pep Guardiola, and said that he will renew his contract.

“I think he will stay at the club. I really hope so, because he is very important for Barca. I’ve learned a lot from Guardiola since i joined Barcelona, “said Adriano.