Barcelona Sinks Further Into "Crisis" with Home Loss to Leganés

FC Barcelona suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat at home against Leganés at the Estadio Olímpico Lluis Companys, marking their first-ever home loss to the Madrid-based team. The result deepens the struggles of Hansi Flick’s side in LaLiga and piles pressure on the Catalan giants in their pursuit of the title.

The decisive moment came in the 4th minute, when Sergio González headed in a corner kick, leaving Barcelona trailing early. From then on, Leganés, led by Borja Jiménez, held firm, showcasing an impeccable defensive performance.

The standout of the night was Leganés' goalkeeper, Marko Dmitrovic, who denied key efforts from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, with the latter hitting the crossbar. Even young star Lamine Yamal, struggling with a minor ankle issue, was unable to spark the team’s attack against a well-drilled defensive unit.

This defeat leaves Barcelona level on 38 points with Atlético Madrid, both at the top of the table, but now only a single point ahead of Real Madrid. The La Liga title race is heating up, and Barça faces a crucial clash in their final match of 2024, hosting Atlético Madrid next Saturday at the Olímpico Lluis Companys.

Despite dominating possession, Barcelona failed to convert their control into clear chances. Jules Koundé squandered a key opportunity, and Flick’s absence on the sidelines—serving his suspension after being sent off against Real Betis—seemed to leave the team lacking direction.

This is Barcelona's second consecutive home loss, following a 0-1 defeat to Las Palmas on November 30. With Flick’s tactics under scrutiny and the team faltering in pivotal moments, the Catalans must regroup quickly to avoid falling behind in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive title races in recent years.