MADRID, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona dropped two more points as they were held to a 2-2 draw away to recently promoted Osasuna on Saturday afternoon.
Roberto Torres was the hero for the team from Pamplona, who got their reward for a battling display in which Barca never looked comfortable.
The game kicked off just hours after the Spanish press informed that Barcelona had ended their interest in Neymar for this summer at least, and Barca coach Ernesto Valverde repeated the starting 11 which beat Betis 5-2 a week earlier.
That meant Leo Messi's calf wasn't risked and that youngster Carles Perez started again and that Ivan Rakitic, who had been linked with a move to Paris Saint Germain as part of a possible Neymar deal, was on the bench.
The game was only six minutes old when Osasuna's Brandon found space on the right and crossed into the Barcelona area for the unmarked Roberto Torres to score with an impressive volley.
Osasuna then proceeded to make life very hard for Barca, working hard to close down spaces and not allowing the Barca midfield to control the ball.
Barca hadn't managed a shot on target in the first 46 minutes and coach Ernesto Valverde replaced right back Nelson Semedo with 16-year-old Ansu Fati, who had impressed in his brief debut against Betis last weekend. Fati scored his first goal in five minutes to tie the score at 1-1.
Valverde wasted no time in making another change, bringing Arthur Melo on for Rafinha and Melo put Barca 2-1 ahead in the 64th minute after good work from Frenkie de Jong. It was the Brazilian's first official goal for Barca.
Barca were not at their best, but looked in control until Gerard Pique conceded a penalty for handball. Torres stepped up and sent Ter Stegen the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.
Perez had the chance to win the game for Barca, but took too long and allowed Osasuna keeper Ruben to smother the ball - just as Osasuna had smothered Barca for most of the game.
