Leganés pulled off a stunning upset over FC Barcelona, defeating the Catalan giants 1-0 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on December 15, 2024, during the 17th round of La Liga. This unexpected loss not only marred Barcelona's title aspirations but also marked their third defeat in four league matches, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team's current form.
The match began under gloomy auspices for Barcelona when, merely four minutes after kick-off, Sergio González headed home from a corner kick taken by Óscar Rodríguez, giving Leganés the lead. It was the earliest goal Barcelona had conceded this season, shocking both the players and their supporters. The early strike stunned the home crowd, who had anticipated Barcelona to dominate the match following the Real Madrid draw the previous day.
Despite this setback, Barcelona responded with vigor, retaining possession for most of the match—over 80%—and launching wave after wave of attacks. The Blaugrana piled on the pressure, but frustratingly for them, they found it difficult to convert their opportunities. Raphinha came close to leveling the score when he hit the crossbar with a powerful shot just past the half-hour mark, and Robert Lewandowski, another key figure for the team, failed to capitalize on several chances, including two clear attempts saved by the stellar Marko Dmitrovic.
Dmitrovic, the Leganés goalkeeper, was phenomenal throughout the match, thwarting efforts from Lewandowski at point-blank range as well as Raphinha's dangerous half-volley. His impressive performance was instrumental, as he managed to keep the Barcelona strikers at bay with skillful reflexes and solid positioning.
The first half ended with Barcelona still trailing, leaving fans anxious and eager for the team to regroup during halftime. Returning for the second half, they hoped to rekindle their offensive prowess. Lamine Yamal, still recovering from earlier injury concerns, attempted to provide spark on the offensive front but struggled to find his footing, mirroring the team’s inefficiency.
Barcelona continued to dominate the ball, but as minutes slipped away, frustration mounted among players. The opportunities kept coming, yet the finishing touch refused to materialize. A notable attempt came from Jules Koundé, whose shot narrowly missed the target, and another from Ferran Torres, whose entrance did little to change the dynamic.
The tactical discipline of Leganés was apparent as they maintained their defensive shape, resolutely repelling the constant Barcelona attacks. At every turn, the Leganés backline seemed impervious to the threats posed by the Barcelona frontline, as they contentedly absorbed pressure, waiting for the opportune moment to strike on the counter.
„Barcelona's failure to score against such opponents—especially when holding such commanding possession—left fans bewildered. Would this be the season where their title reign would be challenged? With each passing minute, it became clearer: if they didn’t change their approach, their chances of securing the La Liga title were fading.
After the whistle blew, echoing the 1-0 scoreline across Montjuïc, the reality settled in—a huge disappointment for Barcelona, who had aimed to build momentum after their Champions League win. A sense of urgency now loomed as they prepared for the upcoming clash against Atlético de Madrid, where they would need to address their shortcomings to avoid falling behind their title rivals.
