Barcelona open three point lead in Spanish La Liga

Despite their fixture list causing tension and uproar, Barcelona dug deep to secure a much-needed 3-0 win over Osasuna to rise to the top of the Spanish La Liga standings.

Initially, this game was meant to be played on 8 March but was called off 20 minutes before kick-off after the death of Barcelona's first-team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia.

On Thursday, the Catalans were comfortable winners at their temporary Olympic Stadium home as the Camp Nou is renovated.

Ferran Torres slid them into the lead from Alex Balde's cross.

Dani Olmo then won a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera and scored after two attempts to add a second.

Substitute Robert Lewandowski headed in a third goal following a well-executed counter attack.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick criticised the timing of the rescheduled match, coming a day after the end of the international break, with some of their key players, including goal machine Raphinha, missing out after travelling back from Brazil duty late.

Uruguay defender, Ronaldo Araujo, also missed the clash.

"It's disrespectful to the club to schedule that match on that date, no matter what club it is," Barca defender Jules Kounde told DAZN.

"I think that beyond the lack of respect for the clubs, it's a lack of respect for the players because we have to understand that we're not machines," he opined.

Barcelona, who are three points above Real Madrid and seven clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid, are next in action at home to neighbours Girona in La Liga on Sunday.