They put on a gala performance against BVB, but now they’ve got a 1-0 win in the league at CD Leganes. Barcelona had a tough time, but then benefited from an own goal in an intense game that remained exciting until the end.
During the week, FC Barcelona had demolished BVB 4-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final and now faced bottom-of-the-league Leganes. Coach Hansi Flick only made two changes: Araujo defended instead of Cubarsi, while Eric replaced de Jong in the number six role.
The favorites were clear, with the La Liga leaders playing the second-bottom team, who had at least scored again after three consecutive defeats the previous week, when they drew 1-1 against Osasuna. Nevertheless, coach Borja Jimenez made four changes, bringing on Adria, Saenz, Oscar and Diomande for Nastasic, Neyou, Cruz and Garcia. Leganes were thus much more defensively oriented than against Osasuna.
Tough going in Leganes
Leganes know how to beat the Blaugrana, having achieved the feat in the first half of the season with a 1-0 away win. The hosts’ approach was simple: to sit tight, shut down the wings and be tenacious in the duels.
And it worked for a long time, because Barcelona had more of the ball but didn’t really create any notable chances. In fact, Adria Alti had the first real chance of the game, but his shot on 13 minutes was saved by Szczesny after good work by Dani Raba. It took another nine minutes before Barca created a dangerous opportunity: Dmitrovic made a great save from Sergio Gonzalez’s shot from a tight angle that took a deflection off Koundés.
It was a game of patience for Barcelona
It was a game of patience for the Catalans, but they did not let themselves be unsettled and consistently played their game. Nevertheless, it was not a pretty game, but rather quite tough – and so it was unsurprisingly goalless at half-time, which was also due to missed chances from Dani Raba (43rd, 45th + 4) and on the opposite side Fermin (44th).
Flick reacted and brought de Jong on for Araujo, with Eric moving into the back four in return. It was the second substitution for the visitors, as Balde had to come off due to injury just before the half-time whistle.
Shortly afterwards, Leganes laid an egg in their own net: first, Oscar carelessly fumbled the ball, then Raphinha escaped on the left and crossed sharply towards Lewandowski. Saenz tried to clear the ball but only managed to head it into his own net (48′).
With the lead behind them, it was of course easier from Barca’s point of view. The ball was moving fluidly and the action took place almost entirely in the opposing half, although chances were few and far between. Fermin, after a great dribble (58th minute), missed out, as did Lewandowski (63rd minute).
Because Barcelona didn’t close the deal, it remained exciting – and Leganes’ hope remained alive. Garcia missed the 1-1 just seconds after coming on (76). Shortly afterwards, Saenz was probably glad that he didn’t score the second own goal of the evening, after he shot just wide of his own goal on the left (81).
Ultimately, it didn’t change the fact that Leganes came away empty-handed and Barcelona went home with three points, partly because Inigo Martinez made a monster tackle on substitute Munir in injury time (90+2).
On Tuesday (9pm CET), the Catalans will travel to Dortmund with further self-confidence and a comfortable 4-0 cushion for the quarter-final second leg, before playing at home against Celta Vigo in the league on Easter Saturday (4:15pm CET). Leganes, on the other hand, face Mallorca on the same day from 6:30 p.m. and will have to do so without Dani Raba, who is suspended after collecting a yellow card.
