FC Barcelona's recent LaLiga campaign faced another unexpected hurdle as newly promoted CD Leganés stunned the Catalan giants with a 1-0 victory at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium on December 15, 2024. This defeat marked Barcelona's second consecutive loss on home soil and cast doubt on their title defenses.
The match began with fireworks when Sergio González, scoring just four minutes after the kickoff, directed Oscar Rodriguez's corner onto the back of the net, catching the Barcelonian defense off guard. González’s early header sent shockwaves across the stadium, contrasting sharply with the high expectations placed on the home side. The goal exemplified the struggles Barcelona faced as they attempted to respond to the incursion.
Despite being favored to win, Barcelona failed to convert their dominance and possession, retaining the ball for 80% of the game—evidently one of the highest possession percentages seen during a home loss since 2005. This stat revealed Barcelona's alarming inefficiency, as they mounted 20 shots throughout the match but managed only four on target.
Robert Lewandowski, LaLiga's top scorer, had the first glimpse of equalizing for Barça when Raphinha's cross found him seven minutes after Leganés struck first, but his shot was thwarted by Marko Dmitrovic, Leganés's goalkeeper, who would become the star of the night. Dmitrovic's performance was nothing short of heroic, as he repeatedly denied attempts from Lewandowski and Raphinha—two players known for being clinical finishers.
Barcelona continued to huff and puff throughout the first half, with talented young winger Lamine Yamal firing over the bar just before the whistle. Jules Koundé also came close, poking the ball narrowly wide early on after the restart, but the equalizer remained elusive.
The most telling moment for Barcelona came late in the game, with Ferran Torres making a clever flick-up to feed Koundé, yet the latter could not capitalize on the opportunity, missing the goal entirely. The tense atmosphere within the stadium reflected the growing frustration of the home supporters as their team faltered and failed to create coherent scoring chances.
Coach Hansi Flick, who was suspended for this fixture, missed witnessing the gravity of the defeat firsthand, and his absence seemed evident on the pitch. Assistant coaches struggled to motivate the players, who looked disheartened following back-to-back defeats at home—earlier against Las Palmas and now against Leganés.
“We didn't create enough opportunities,” said Flick’s assistant post-match. “When you play with such intensity, wasting chances is simply unacceptable. We need to regroup and find our rhythm again heading to our next fixtures.” This unexpected setback took place amid mounting pressure as Barcelona prepared for their upcoming match against Atlético Madrid, which could define their title chase.
Despite recently recovering form in the Champions League, where they saw success against Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona’s domestic troubles proved harder to shake. After this loss, Barcelona remained at the top of LaLiga standings but found themselves level on points with Atlético Madrid and merely one point above Real Madrid, who have both games scheduled in hand.
The historical significance of this match accentuated both team’s seasons—Leganés capitalized on their moment to secure three points, easing their relegation fears. This surprise victory showcased their ability to persevere against high-profile opponents, even when stats suggest they were expected to come out less favorably. "This win means everything for us; we showed resilience and heart against one of the best teams,” González declared post-match.
Leganés's achievement not only delighted their fans but also highlighted issues within the Barcelona setup. With the winter transfer window approaching, speculation surrounding necessary reinforcements began to bubble up. Stars like Eric García and Ansu Fati are reportedly on the chopping block, aimed at slimming the wage bill and possibly rejuvenate the squad amid mounting pressure.
On this night at Montjuïc, the stage was set for Leganés to create history, something they certainly did, leaving the field to rapturous applause from their supporters, but also serving as wake-up call to Barcelona’s players about the perils of complacency.
With the ramifications of this upset rippling through LaLiga, both teams’ upcoming matches have the potential to change the course of their seasons. While Barcelona needs results to secure their title ambitions, Leganés will look to build on this performance and continue their climb up the table.
