Lionel Messi the creator as Barcelona win raises the stakes for Madrid derby

Barcelona back in the title race with 10 victories in their last 11 games

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (in yellow) controls the ball and takes on two Osasuna players. AFP

Lionel Messi provided two assists as Barcelona overcame a difficult trip to Osasuna on Saturday to win 2-0.
The win adds even more pressure on Sunday's Madrid derby when leaders Atletico play third-placed rivals Real Madrid.

Messi set up both goals in Pamplona as Jordi Alba hammered home in the first half before 18-year-old Ilaix Moriba came off the bench to curl in an impressive shot late in the second, his first La Liga goal.

A few weeks ago, Ronald Koeman's side looked too far adrift in the title race but 10 victories out of 11 have fired them back into contention, even though Atletico remain in the driving seat with two games in hand.

After coming from two goals down to beat Sevilla after extra-time in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, Barcelona now have one trophy, and perhaps even a domestic double, in their sights.

Osasuna pressed high, which made for an entertaining opening 20 minutes. Barca faced some nervy moments as Jonathan Calleri tried an ambitious lob from distance before Ruben Garcia's curler from the edge of the area required an athletic save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Messi shot wide and then set up the opener, drifting in from the right and spotting the scuttling Alba racing in behind on the opposite side. Messi clipped a superb pass through three Osasuna defenders for Alba to collect and he lashed the ball high into the net from the angle.

Garcia deserved an equaliser soon after for his first touch alone, a sumptuous cushioning of a long ball forward, but ter Stegen was again there to deny the left winger.

There was more control about the second half but Barcelona needed a second to make it comfortable and substitute Ilaix seized his moment, shaping to shoot with his right before coolly rolling on to his left on the edge of the area and whipping into the corner.

Atletico face Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, with Barcelona hoping for anything other than a home win.