Leganes shock Barcelona as leaders suffer second-straight home loss

Sergio Gonzalez’s early aim for Leganes was sufficient to sentence Barcelona to a second-successive dwelling La Liga defeat.

Coming in to the match as clear underdogs, the guests went in entrance early on because the centre-back Gonzalez rose unchallenged to move dwelling Oscar Rodriguez’s nook from six yards out.

Robert Lewandowski was responsible of spurning possibilities within the first half, although credit score should even be given to Marko Dmitrovic for blocking his efforts, and the Serbian goalkeeper additionally tipped Raphinha’s half-volley towards the bar.

Though Barcelona dominated possession and territory all through, they didn’t create many possibilities, particularly within the second half, and might solely blame themselves for his or her predicament.

Regardless of the defeat, their third in six matches, Barcelona stay high of La Liga on aim distinction forward of their subsequent opponents, Atletico Madrid. Leganes rise to fifteenth.

Lower than two months in the past, when Barcelona gained 4-0 on the Bernabeu, it was simple to envisage Hansi Flick having a protracted reign at Barcelona, however now his seat is changing into more and more precarious. After they adopted up the Clasico victory with a win of their metropolis derby over Espanyol, they’ve gained only one match, with two attracts and three defeats.

There shall be some leeway given attributable to their sturdy begin to the UEFA Champions League marketing campaign and the acknowledgment of defensive accidents to Ronald Araujo, who was an unused substitute on this match, and Andreas Christensen, to not point out dropping goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the season.

Subsequent Saturday’s dwelling match with Atletico Madrid is now important, and a Barcelona victory to maintain them high at Christmas would ease the gloom.

Nevertheless, Barcelona merely don’t lose matches just like the final two dwelling reverses towards Las Palmas and Leganes – and may this pattern proceed within the New 12 months, change could possibly be afoot.

As dangerous as Barcelona had been, they might simply have scored 3 times within the first half and would have completed so if the Leganes stopper had not been on the high of his recreation. He confirmed the complete number of stops: a stretch and tip onto the bar from Raphinha, a point-blank save from Lewandowski after which saving together with his legs from one other effort from the Pole.

Barcelona: Pena 6; Kounde 5, Garcia 6, Martinez 6, Balde 6; Casado 7, Pedri 7; Yamal 6, Olmo 5, Raphinha 7; Lewandowski 5.

Subs: Torres 6, Lopez 6, Cubarsi 6, Victor 6.

Leganes: Dmitrovic 8*; Alti 7, Gonzalez 8, Saenz 7, Javi 6; Tapia 6, Neyou 7; Munir 6, Cisse 6, Oscar Rodriguez 7; de la Fuente 6.

Subs: Brasanac 6, Nastasic 7, Garcia 6, Raba 6.

4′ GOAL! BARCELONA 0-1 LEGANES (GONZALEZ) Unimaginable! The Leganes centre-back is free within the penalty space to move dwelling Rodriguez’s nook to present the guests a shock lead.

11′ GREAT STOP FROM DMITROVIC Raphinha dances round a few challenges earlier than sliding a ball throughout the six-yard field for Lewandowski who shoots at aim however the Leganes stopper spreads himself to dam the hassle.

33′ RAPHINHA INCHES FROM SCORING Raphinha smashes Balde’s cross on the half-volley and Dmitrovic ideas the ball onto the crossbar.

35′ LEWANDOWSKI SPURNS ANOTHER CHANCE By means of on aim after a incredible contact, the Polish ace appears to slide and Dmitrovic stands out a leg to dam the shot.

58′ RAPHINHA WITH A GOOD CROSS! However Lewandowski misjudges his leap and it hits his shoulder and goes over the bar.

79′ WHAT A CHANCE FOR KOUNDE A intelligent ball from Raphinha, then a fair higher backheel from Torres, however Kounde shoots huge of the goal.