Leganes surprise Barcelona as leaders undergo second-straight house loss

Sergio Gonzalez’s early purpose for Leganes used to be sufficient to sentence Barcelona to a second-successive house L. a. Liga defeat.

Coming in to the fit as transparent underdogs, the guests went in entrance early on because the centre-back Gonzalez rose unchallenged to go house Oscar Rodriguez’s nook from six yards out.

Robert Lewandowski used to be accountable of spurning possibilities within the first 1/2, despite the fact that credit score should even be given to Marko Dmitrovic for blocking off his efforts, and the Serbian goalkeeper additionally tipped Raphinha’s half-volley in opposition to the bar.

Even supposing Barcelona ruled ownership and territory during, they didn’t create many possibilities, particularly in the second one 1/2, and will best blame themselves for his or her catch 22 situation.

Regardless of the defeat, their 3rd in six suits, Barcelona stay most sensible of L. a. Liga on purpose distinction forward in their subsequent warring parties, Atletico Madrid. Leganes upward thrust to fifteenth.

Lower than two months in the past, when Barcelona received 4-0 on the Bernabeu, it used to be simple to envisage Hansi Flick having a protracted reign at Barcelona, however now his seat is changing into increasingly more precarious. When they adopted up the Clasico victory with a win of their town derby over Espanyol, they’ve received only one fit, with two attracts and 3 defeats.

There will probably be some leeway given because of their sturdy begin to the UEFA Champions League marketing campaign and the acknowledgment of defensive accidents to Ronald Araujo, who used to be an unused exchange on this fit, and Andreas Christensen, to not point out dropping goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the season.

Subsequent Saturday’s house fit with Atletico Madrid is now important, and a Barcelona victory to stay them most sensible at Christmas would ease the gloom.

Alternatively, Barcelona merely don’t lose suits just like the closing two house reverses in opposition to Las Palmas and Leganes – and must this pattern proceed within the New 12 months, exchange might be afoot.

As unhealthy as Barcelona have been, they might simply have scored thrice within the first 1/2 and would have performed so if the Leganes stopper had no longer been on the most sensible of his recreation. He confirmed the entire 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 some 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 l. a. Fuente 6.

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

4′ GOAL! BARCELONA 0-1 LEGANES (GONZALEZ) Improbable! The Leganes centre-back is unfastened within the penalty space to go house Rodriguez’s nook to offer the guests a surprise lead.

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

33′ RAPHINHA INCHES FROM SCORING Raphinha smashes Balde’s go at the half-volley and Dmitrovic guidelines the ball onto the crossbar.

35′ LEWANDOWSKI SPURNS ANOTHER CHANCE Thru on purpose after an out of this world contact, the Polish ace turns out to slide and Dmitrovic stands out a leg to dam the shot.

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

79′ WHAT A CHANCE FOR KOUNDE A suave ball from Raphinha, then a good higher backheel from Torres, however Kounde shoots large of the objective.