La Liga leaders Barcelona suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Leganes on Sunday, dealing a significant blow to their title hopes. The visiting underdogs took the lead in the 4th minute when Sergio Gonzalez headed in from a corner, and Barcelona failed to recover, missing several clear chances. Despite a strong start to the season, Barcelona have now lost three of their last six league matches, winning only one, and their lead at the top has dwindled. They are now level on points with second-placed Atletico Madrid, and only a point ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, though they have played one more game than both.
“It was a messed-up game, it’s impossible to be happy. I think we started the game half asleep,” Pedri told DAZN. “We woke up, we created chances but we didn’t have the spark we needed to get the goal… We have to be better in front of goal if we want to win points, we’re in a bad run in the league and we have to turn it around.”
Barcelona got off to a dreadful start when former youth player Munir El Haddadi raced down the right and forced a save from Inaki Pena. From the ensuing corner, Leganes stunned the Camp Nou with Gonzalez’s header. Barcelona dominated possession and created several chances, but Leganes’ goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic was in inspired form, denying Robert Lewandowski twice and tipping Raphinha’s powerful shot onto the crossbar.
Teenager Lamine Yamal, despite injuring his ankle in the first half, remained a constant threat and came close to scoring after a brilliant run. Even though his injury was affecting him, he continued into the second half. Barcelona made substitutions, but neither Lewandowski nor Dani Olmo could find the breakthrough, and Leganes held firm, denying Barcelona any clear opportunities.
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In stoppage time, Raphinha’s free-kick sailed over the bar, and Leganes earned their first-ever away win at Barcelona. The victory lifted Leganes four points clear of the relegation zone.
“It’s a historic victory… and I’m so happy for having done it, this team has a lot of character and personality, we’re very united and I am proud of the team,” said Gonzalez.
