Barcelona's hopes for La Liga glory have taken a significant hit following a surprising 1-0 defeat at home to Leganes on Sunday. The Catalan giants, who were once comfortably at the top of the table, now find themselves tied on points with Atletico Madrid, raising concerns about their title aspirations.
The early moments of the game set the tone for what would become another disappointing outing for Barcelona. A mere four minutes had passed when Oscar Rodriguez's corner kick found Sergio Gonzalez, who scored with a header at the near post, leaving goalkeeper Iñaki Peña with little chance to react. This goal marked the fastest conceded by Barcelona this season, highlighting their struggles defensively.
After the setback, Barcelona attempted to rally. Midfielder Pedri remarked on the team’s poor start, stating, “We started off a bit sleepy withthat goal. We woke up, we created chances but we lackedthat spark to get going well and score goals.” Despite having 80% possession, Barcelona could not break through Leganes' solid defense. The hosts registered 20 shots throughout the match but managed only four on target.
One of the team’s glaring missed opportunities came from Robert Lewandowski, who was unable to convert Raphinha's cross just seven minutes after Leganes had scored. Captain Raphinha himself was unlucky late in the first half, as his attempt hit the bar.
Barcelona continued to press, but frustration grew during the second half, especially as the hosts had two penalty appeals turned down. Manager Xavi Hernandez, who faced the match amid his team's turmoil, reflected post-match, “We weren't at our best tonight. Leganes solid defense and capitalized on their chance.”
Despite missing out on key scoring opportunities, the loss struck at the core of Barcelona's recent form—a trend seen since their surprising thrashing of Real Madrid earlier this season. Following the victory on October 28, the team has only secured two wins from the subsequent seven matches, entering what many are now calling a crisis.
PEDRI emphasized the team's need for improvement, saying, “We have to start the game stronger. When teams score away from home against us, they tend to put many players back and it becomes challenging.”
This defeat marked Barcelona's second consecutive home league loss, something not encountered since April 2022. They have now surrendered their early leads, and the prospect of Atletico and Real Madrid closing the gap grows ever more real with each passing week.
Leganes' victory, meanwhile, spurred them up to 18 points, pulling them away from the relegation fight. Their win was particularly surprising since they are one of the league’s least scoring teams and faced numerous challenges throughout the season. It was also their first victory ever against Barcelona at the historic Camp Nou.
The loss also places pressure on Barcelona as they prepare for their next match against Atletico Madrid on December 21. Both teams currently sit on 38 points, but Atletico has the advantage of one game in hand. This looming clash has become pivotal; should Atletico win, they would overtake Barcelona, showcasing how quickly fortunes can change.
Adding to Barcelona's woes, recent data shows they have only earned five points from their last six La Liga matches, and their defensive frailties have been alarming, with 10 goals conceded across those fixtures. Their recent displays have raised many eyebrows, as the team struggles to recapture their previous form.
With Barcelona appearing vulnerable and competitors like Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid tightening the race for the title, every upcoming fixture carries significant weight. It is imperative for Barcelona to recapture their confidence and find their rhythm before the season reaches its halfway point.
Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how this once-formidable side will respond to adversity as they strive to maintain their position atop the La Liga standings. The excitement of the title race continues, and Barcelona's next match will be key to determining their fate as the season progresses.
