Barcelona's Bitter Home Defeat Ahead of Major Clash: Flick's Team Continues to Decline

Barcelona's struggles under Hansi Flick persist, as they endured a bitter 1-0 home defeat against Leganés, potentially relinquishing their top spot in La Liga.

An early goal by Sergio González in the opening minutes secured a sweet victory for Borja Jiménez's side. This loss means Barcelona has failed to win in five of their last six league matches. Notably, it's only the third time in the 21st century that Barcelona has suffered consecutive home defeats, with previous instances in 2003 and 2022 under Xavi Hernández.

Despite the loss, Barcelona remains atop the La Liga standings with 38 points. However, Atlético Madrid, also with 38 points, and Real Madrid with 37 points, both have a game in hand, intensifying the competition. A crucial match between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, both tied at the summit, is scheduled for this Friday, with the teams entering under contrasting circumstances.

Just four minutes into the game at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Leganés took the lead. Munir El Haddadi, a former Barcelona player, had a dangerous shot saved by Iñaki Peña, but moments later, Óscar Rodríguez delivered a corner into the box, where Sergio González rose above the defense to head the ball into the net. This goal, scored just 195 seconds after kickoff, is the fastest conceded by Barcelona in all European competitions this season.

Barcelona immediately sought to equalize. Robert Lewandowski had a close-range opportunity from a Raphinha pass, but Leganés goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić made a crucial save. Milinković-Savić continued to impress, denying another Lewandowski effort in the 35th minute.

Despite dominating 80% possession and accumulating an expected goals (xG) tally exceeding 2.64, Barcelona couldn't find the back of the net. This match marks only the second time in the past two decades of La Liga that a team with 80% home possession has lost, the first being Barcelona's defeat to Granada three years ago. The hosts completed 691 passes, over six times Leganés' 114, but their 20 shots yielded no goals, with only four on target, all saved by Milinković-Savić.

As the match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Leganés, Barcelona's focus shifts to their upcoming fixture against Atlético Madrid. This encounter is pivotal, as both teams are level on points at the top of the table. Notably, Atlético arrives in Catalonia riding an impressive streak of 11 consecutive victories. Historically, Barcelona has secured five wins and four clean sheets in their last five meetings with Atlético Madrid.