Liga - Messi return fails to inspire Barca in Osasuna stalemate

Lionel Messi made his return from injury as Barcelona drew 0-0 with Osasuna in La Liga.

The Argentine came on with 20 minutes left after his lay-off from a thigh injury but was unable to inspire Barca, who were aiming for their ninth straight league win.
They looked to be missing their talisman in the first half with Pedro taking too many touches when presented with a chance and Cesc Fabregas guilty of spurning a host of opportunities.

Osasuna were dealt an early blow when Sissi was stretchered off after appearing to twist his knee.
But the visitors failed to capitalise with Andres Iniesta blazing over from 30 yards out in the only real chance they fashioned in the opening half hour.
Fabregas, playing as the central attacker, felt he should have been awarded a penalty after trying to head in Martin Montoya’s cross but the referee booked him for handball.
Osasuna continued to defend well with Pedro’s volley from close range blocked after Xavi’s free-kick was only half cleared by goalkeeper Andres Fernandez.
The best chance of the half fell to defender Marc Bartra who planted his header over the bar from a corner despite being unmarked.
The home side’s best opportunity fell on the stroke of half-time to Oriol Riera whose ambitious effort from 25 yards out was saved by a diving Victor Valdes.
Barca continued to be frustrated in the second half with Neymar coming agonisingly close to connecting with Montoya’s whipped cross from the right.
That was followed by a woeful effort from Fabregas whose attempted lob from six yards out went straight into Fernandez’s arms.
The former Arsenal man’s night got worse when he was put through by Xavi on the hour mark and blazed his effort over from eight yards out with only the keeper to beat.
Fabregas continued to persevere and went close with a curling effort from 25 yards out on 66 minutes.
Messi came on for Xavi with 20 minutes remaining to mark his return from the injury he sustained last month. He looked a little rusty and dragged a shot wide from 25 yards in the closing stages before scuffing a chance from close range from Sergio Busquets’ lofted pass.
Despite the introduction of Messi and Christian Tello, the visitors could not break the deadlock and drop their first points of the season. It is the first time in 65 La Liga games that Barca have failed to score.