Barcelona enduring worst start to LaLiga season since Guardiola's treble-winning team

A draw with Osasuna means Barcelona have accrued their lowest number of points from their first three league games in 11 years.

Published : Sep 01, 2019 00:42 IST

Antoine Griezmann failed to step up for Barcelona.
Antoine Griezmann failed to step up for Barcelona.
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Antoine Griezmann failed to step up for Barcelona.

Barcelona is enduring its worst start to a LaLiga season in terms of points gained since 2008-09, when Pep Guardiola was in his first term in charge.

The champion was held to a 2-2 draw at Osasuna on Saturday, with Roberto Torres snatching a draw with a late penalty at El Sadar.

Barca had fought from a goal down to lead 2-1, with Ansu Fati becoming its youngest league goalscorer before Arthur put it ahead, after Torres had opened the scoring just seven minutes in.

However, Gerard Pique was penalised for blocking the ball with a raised arm in the box, allowing Osasuna to extend its unbeaten home run in LaLiga to six games.

Read: Fati becomes Barca's youngest LaLiga goalscorer with Osasuna equaliser

It means Ernesto Valverde's side has taken only four points from three games in 2019-20, having started with a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao before beating Real Betis 5-2.

The last time it took only four points from the same number of matches at the start of a season was 11 years ago, when Guardiola began to come under pressure for an underwhelming start to life as head coach at his old club.

Barca would go on to win the treble of LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Champions League trophies that season.

Atletico Madrid, which finished second last term, could move five points clear of Barca at the top of the table if it beats Eibar on Sunday.

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