Leganes shock Barcelona as leaders suffer second-straight home loss

Sergio Gonzalez’s early goal for Leganes was enough to condemn Barcelona to a second-successive home La Liga defeat.

Coming in to the match as clear underdogs, the visitors went in front early on as the centre-back Gonzalez rose unchallenged to head home Oscar Rodriguez’s corner from six yards out.

Robert Lewandowski was guilty of spurning chances in the first half, though credit must also be given to Marko Dmitrovic for blocking his efforts, and the Serbian goalkeeper also tipped Raphinha’s half-volley against the bar.

Although Barcelona dominated possession and territory throughout, they did not create many chances, especially in the second half, and can only blame themselves for their predicament.

Despite the defeat, their third in six matches, Barcelona remain top of La Liga on goal difference ahead of their next opponents, Atletico Madrid. Leganes rise to 15th.

Less than two months ago, when Barcelona won 4-0 at the Bernabeu, it was easy to envisage Hansi Flick having a long reign at Barcelona, but now his seat is becoming increasingly precarious. After they followed up the Clasico victory with a win in their city derby over Espanyol, they have won just one match, with two draws and three defeats.

There will be some leeway given due to their strong start to the UEFA Champions League campaign and the acknowledgment of defensive injuries to Ronald Araujo, who was an unused substitute in this match, and Andreas Christensen, not to mention losing goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the season.

Next Saturday’s home match with Atletico Madrid is now significant, and a Barcelona victory to keep them top at Christmas would ease the gloom.

However, Barcelona simply do not lose matches like the last two home reverses against Las Palmas and Leganes – and should this trend continue in the New Year, change could be afoot.

As bad as Barcelona were, they could easily have scored three times in the first half and would have done so if the Leganes stopper had not been at the top of his game. He showed the full variety of stops: a stretch and tip onto the bar from Raphinha, a point-blank save from Lewandowski and then saving with his legs from another 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) Incredible! The Leganes centre-back is free in the penalty area to head home Rodriguez’s corner to give the visitors a shock lead.

11′ GREAT STOP FROM DMITROVIC Raphinha dances around a couple of challenges before sliding a ball across the six-yard box for Lewandowski who shoots at goal but the Leganes stopper spreads himself to block the effort.

33′ RAPHINHA INCHES FROM SCORING Raphinha smashes Balde’s cross on the half-volley and Dmitrovic tips the ball onto the crossbar.

35′ LEWANDOWSKI SPURNS ANOTHER CHANCE Through on goal after a fantastic touch, the Polish ace seems to slip and Dmitrovic sticks out a leg to block the shot.

58′ RAPHINHA WITH A GOOD CROSS! But Lewandowski misjudges his leap and it hits his shoulder and goes over the bar.

79′ WHAT A CHANCE FOR KOUNDE A clever ball from Raphinha, then an even better backheel from Torres, but Kounde shoots wide of the target.