For the second time in two away league games, Football Club Barcelona could only manage a 0-0 draw against weaker opposition. With Leo Messi and Samuel Eto’o out injured, Frank Rijkaard opted for a forward line of Giovani dos Santos, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry, but none of the three were capable of breaking through the well organized Osasuna defence.

The first chance of the game fell to Osasuna after five minutes but Flaño headed the right wing cross wide. The next half an hour saw Barça with more possession but they failed to create one chance. It wasn’t until the 36th minute that Iniesta put Giovani through, but Elia smothered the Mexican’s shot.

Iniesta was Barça best player in the first half, and five minutes later he set up Deco with another opportunity that was once more saved by Elia. Osasuna had one more chance before half time when a mistake from Thuram allowed Portillo a chance but the ex-Madrid striker shot wide.

Osasuna almost scored immediately after the restart when a shot from Javi Garcia slipped through Valdés’ hands but fortunately the Barça keeper did enough for the ball to go over the crossbar. Barça then went close when Henry failed to control a long pass, but the ball shot off his foot and deceived Elia, but the ball rolled harmlessly wide of the post.

Ronaldinho tried a shot from a free kick 35 yards out but it was an easy save for the Osasuna goalie. It was the last contribution from the Brazilian who was taken off with Zambrotta after 65 minutes to make way for Oleguer and Xavi. It made little difference as neither side created much. Oleguer had a chance but he chose to cross when he should have shot, and a few minutes later another chance was wasted when Xavi shot wide. For Osasuna, Javi Garcia curled one over the bar at the other end.

At the age of just 17 years and 20 days, Bojan Krkic came on for Giovani with twelve minutes left. He had a couple of runs into the penalty area but it all came to nothing.

Barça clearly haven’t learnt the lessons of last season. With so much talent in the team, it is difficult to understand how they can create so little. Deco was very disappointing, giving the ball away several times, and Thierry Henry never got into the match. Frank Rijkaard’s substitutions were also poor. He took off Ronaldinho, who was probably the most active forward, to put on another midfielder, and he also waited too long before giving Bojan a chance. Maybe if Bojan had had twenty-five minutes he could have made the difference.

Barça will have to show a lot more ambition if they are going to make a serious challenge for the title. After just three games, they already find themselves four points adrift of Real Madrid. One of the few positive points to take from the game was a good performance from Gabi Milito who completed his first full game as a blaugrana.

Osasuna: Ricardo; Izquierdo, Flaño, Josetxo, Corrales; Puñal, Javi García, Font, Juanfran (Delporte, m80); Portillo (Plasil, m71), Pandiani (Kike Sola, m90)

FC Barcelona: Valdés 6; Zambrotta 5.5 (Oleguer, m65, 5.5), Thuram 5.5, Milito 6.5, Abidal 6; Iniesta 6.5, Touré 6, Deco 4.5; Giovani 5.5 (Bojan, m78, 6), Henry 4.5, Ronaldinho 6 (Xavi, m65, 6).

Referee: Pérez Lasa. Yellow cards: Josetxo (m28), Deco (m31), Iniesta (m38), Izquierdo (m39), Puñal (m66).