Leganes shock Barcelona as leaders endure second-straight residence loss

Sergio Gonzalez’s early purpose for Leganes was sufficient to sentence Barcelona to a second-successive residence 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 residence Oscar Rodriguez’s nook from six yards out.

Robert Lewandowski was responsible of spurning probabilities 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 probabilities, particularly within the second half, and may solely blame themselves for his or her predicament.

Regardless of the defeat, their third in six matches, Barcelona stay prime of La Liga on purpose 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 an extended reign at Barcelona, however now his seat is turning 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 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 was an unused substitute on this match, and Andreas Christensen, to not point out shedding goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the season.

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

Nonetheless, Barcelona merely don’t lose matches just like the final two residence reverses towards Las Palmas and Leganes – and may this development 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 achieved so if the Leganes stopper had not been on the prime of his sport. He confirmed the total 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) Unbelievable! The Leganes centre-back is free within the penalty space to move residence 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 purpose 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 suggestions the ball onto the crossbar.

35′ LEWANDOWSKI SPURNS ANOTHER CHANCE By means of on purpose after a implausible contact, the Polish ace appears to slide and Dmitrovic stands proud 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 good higher backheel from Torres, however Kounde shoots vast of the goal.