Leganes v Barcelona | Match Highlights | LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 31
Leganes v Barcelona
Barcelona’s relentless march at the summit of LaLiga continued on Saturday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resolute Leganés side, a result that stretched their unbeaten run in the Spanish top flight to an impressive 12 matches and solidified their position as title favorites. The solitary goal, an unfortunate own goal by Leganés defender Jorge Sáenz, was enough to secure three vital points for Hansi Flick’s men, who now sit seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid with 70 points to their rivals’ 63. The win, though far from a vintage performance, underscored Barcelona’s ability to grind out results in challenging circumstances, a hallmark of their season under Flick’s meticulous guidance. For Leganés, the defeat was another blow to their survival hopes, leaving them languishing second from bottom with just 28 points, two shy of safety, and facing an increasingly precarious battle to avoid relegation. The match itself was a tense affair, marked by moments of frustration and flashes of quality, with Barcelona’s defensive resilience and clinical opportunism proving decisive. As the Catalans look ahead to a pivotal week that includes a Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Borussia Dortmund and a LaLiga clash with Celta Vigo, their ability to maintain focus across multiple fronts will be crucial in sustaining their dominance.
The opening half at Estadio Municipal de Butarque was a cagey, attritional battle, with both sides struggling to assert control in a game that felt more like a chess match than a free-flowing spectacle. Leganés, buoyed by their home support and desperate for points in their fight against relegation, showed early intent, pressing high to disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm and looking to exploit transitions. Their best chance came midway through the first half when Dani Raba’s incisive pass found Adrià Altimira in a dangerous position inside the box. The winger, sensing an opportunity to stun the league leaders, struck his shot cleanly, only to be thwarted by a sprawling save from Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who demonstrated the sharpness that has made him a cornerstone of Flick’s defensive setup. The Polish stopper’s intervention was a reminder of Barcelona’s defensive solidity, a quality that has underpinned their unbeaten streak across all competitions. At the other end, Barcelona struggled to find their usual fluency, with Leganés’ compact shape stifling their creative outlets. A rare moment of promise came when Jules Koundé showcased his athleticism to beat Sáenz to a loose ball, only to fire his effort narrowly wide of the post. The miss encapsulated a first half in which Barcelona, despite dominating possession, lacked the cutting edge to break down a well-organized Leganés defense, leaving Flick visibly animated on the touchline as he urged his players to raise their intensity.
The breakthrough finally arrived early in the second half, and it came courtesy of a moment of misfortune for Leganés that shifted the game’s momentum decisively in Barcelona’s favor. Raphinha, who had been a constant menace down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the box intended for Robert Lewandowski, who was lurking with intent. As the Polish striker prepared to pounce, Leganés defender Jorge Sáenz, under pressure and caught in two minds, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net, leaving goalkeeper Diego Conde with no chance. The own goal, while lacking the glamour of Barcelona’s usual attacking flair, was a testament to their persistence and ability to capitalize on defensive errors. The Butarque crowd fell silent, their hopes of an upset dented, while Barcelona’s players celebrated with a sense of relief rather than jubilation, aware that the game remained finely balanced. Flick’s decision to deploy Raphinha in a more advanced role had paid dividends, the Brazilian’s pace and directness proving too much for Leganés’ backline to handle. For Sáenz, it was a moment to forget, his error encapsulating the fine margins that often decide matches at this level. Barcelona, now with a lead to protect, shifted their focus to managing the game, though their inability to add a second goal kept Leganés in contention, setting the stage for a nervy final half-hour.
As the game progressed, Barcelona sought to assert greater control, with their attacking stars gradually finding pockets of space to exploit. Robert Lewandowski, still chasing the milestone of his 100th goal for the club, came close to doubling the lead when he met another pinpoint Raphinha cross with a powerful header, only to see his effort drift agonizingly wide. The miss prompted Flick to make a tactical tweak, withdrawing Lewandowski after 67 minutes in favor of Ferran Torres, a move designed to inject fresh legs and preserve his star striker for the challenges ahead. Torres nearly made an immediate impact, linking up with the prodigious Lamine Yamal in a slick exchange that carved open Leganés’ defense, but Yamal’s final touch let him down, his shot failing to test Conde. The introduction of Torres signaled Barcelona’s intent to see out the game with composure, though their failure to convert chances left the door ajar for a Leganés comeback. The hosts, to their credit, refused to capitulate, with Dani Raba briefly igniting hopes of an equalizer when he headed home from Altimira’s cross. The celebrations, however, were cut short by a VAR review, which confirmed an offside call, a decision that deflated Leganés’ momentum and reaffirmed Barcelona’s knack for riding their luck when needed. The disallowed goal was a microcosm of Leganés’ season—moments of promise undone by the smallest of margins—while for Barcelona, it was another hurdle cleared in their quest for silverware.
Leganés’ desperation to salvage a point grew as the clock ticked down, but their efforts were hampered by a lack of precision in the final third. Their closest opportunity came when Diego García unleashed a speculative long-range strike that sailed harmlessly over Szczesny’s bar, a shot born more of frustration than conviction. Barcelona’s defense, marshaled superbly by Koundé and Ronald Araújo, held firm, snuffing out any lingering threat with a blend of physicality and tactical nous. Flick’s emphasis on defensive solidity was evident in the way his side managed the closing stages, their composure under pressure a marked improvement from previous seasons. Post-match, Flick struck a pragmatic tone, telling reporters: “For us today was a very difficult game, but winning was very important. I am proud of what my team is doing in the last few weeks and months. We need to work on our defense and attack, but we’ve got three points, and that’s what’s important.” His words reflected a manager acutely aware of his team’s imperfections but equally confident in their ability to deliver when it matters most. For Leganés, the defeat was a bitter pill, their position in the relegation zone a stark reminder of the challenges ahead as they prepare for crucial fixtures in their fight for survival.
With this victory, Barcelona’s remarkable unbeaten run across all competitions now stands at 24 matches, a testament to Flick’s transformative impact since taking the reins. The Catalans’ focus now shifts to their Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Borussia Dortmund, where they carry a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg, before returning to LaLiga action against Celta Vigo. The coming week will test Barcelona’s depth and resilience, but their ability to navigate a tricky away fixture against Leganés bodes well for their prospects. For the fans who made the trip to Butarque, the performance may have lacked the flair of recent weeks, but the result was a reminder of Barcelona’s newfound pragmatism—a quality that could prove decisive in their pursuit of a domestic and European double. As the final whistle blew, the players’ understated celebrations reflected a job well done, their sights already set on the bigger battles that lie ahead.
