Barcelona's stellar reputation took a hit on December 15, when they lost to Leganés, falling 0-1 at their home ground. This unexpected defeat during the 17th round of La Liga marked yet another chapter of frustration for the Catalan giants, raising questions about their title defense.
The only goal was scored by Leganés defender Sergio González just four minutes after kickoff, thrusting pressure on Barcelona to quickly respond. Yet, fans were left disappointed as the team struggled to shake off their recent slump.
Despite the loss, Barcelona remains at the top of the La Liga table with 38 points. They share this position with Atlético Madrid, who have one match less under their belt. It's this intense competition and the looming presence of their next match against Atlético which adds to the tension surrounding the club.
This defeat against Leganés continues Barcelona's troubling trend of inconsistent performances, having achieved only one victory in their last six fixtures. They previously secured their only win—against Mallorca—on December 1 with a dominating 5-1 scoreline.
But since then, the team has faltered, facing losses against Real Sociedad (0-1) and Las Palmas (1-2), alongside draws against Celta and Betis, which both ended 2-2. During this stretch, they have only managed to accumulate five points from possible 18, raising concerns over their ability to maintain their narrow lead in the league.
The team is set to face Atlético Madrid next on December 21, which is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal matches of the season. This game not only has significant title ramifications, but it also pits Barcelona against the team currently behind them by goal difference alone.
While the board and fans are hoping for swift adjustments to regain form, the upcoming match looms heavier with the weight of expectations.
Overall, Barcelona must address its performance issues decisively to avoid slipping from the top spot. With the league competitive as ever, every point will count, and with Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid both closely following, they need to reclaim their momentum swiftly.
The tables have turned, and if they cannot turn things around quickly, more shocks like the defeat against Leganés may be on the horizon for this storied football club.
