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Barcelona’s Polish ahead #09 Robert Lewandowski (R) and teammates react after the Spanish league soccer match between Membership Deportivo Leganes SAD and FC Barcelona on the Estadio Municipal Butarque in Leganes, close to Madrid, on April 12, 2025. (Photograph by Thomas COEX / AFP)
LEGANES, Spain (AFP)— Barcelona wanted a Jorge Saenz personal aim to edge Leganes 1-0 and transfer seven factors away from Actual Madrid on the prime of La Liga on Saturday.
Second-placed champions Madrid face Alaves on Sunday and should play catch-up after Hansi Flick’s aspect scraped their method to a slender however very important win on the highway.
The Catalan giants are preventing for a possible quadruple this season and took one other small step in direction of the league title at Butarque stadium.
“Ultimately what’s essential in these video games are three factors,” Barca defender Eric Garcia advised DAZN.
“I feel that is the kind of sport the place the league is received… we’re prime of the desk, which is the place we wish to be, and immediately we might prolong that distance a bit.”
Barcelona misplaced 1-0 at dwelling towards Leganes in December throughout a droop which they’ve rotated in 2025, now 24 consecutive matches unbeaten for the reason that flip of the 12 months.
The Madrid minnows set as much as frustrate as they did within the first assembly, slowing the sport with tactical fouls and the occasional spot of time-wasting.
Regardless of Flick choosing a robust aspect Barcelona discovered it onerous to create hazard and the hosts had the perfect likelihood of an unpleasant first half.
Dani Raba broke free down the left, with Inigo Martinez struggling to maintain up, and he teed up Adria Altimira.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a superb save to thwart the Spaniard, whose shot was too near the Polish veteran.
On the different finish a deflected Jules Kounde effort was batted out by Marko Dmitrovic, who was not examined additional within the first half.
Raba lashed a shot narrowly off-target for Borja Jimenez’s aspect and Barcelona took off defender Alejandro Balde earlier than the break as he seemed to be damage.
Flick despatched on Frenkie de Jong for Ronald Araujo at half-time, shifting Eric Garcia again into defence, and Barcelona quickly took the lead.
With Robert Lewandowski lurking behind him, Saenz deflected Raphinha’s low cross into his personal internet.
– ‘So robust’ –
With Leganes pressured into opening up somewhat, Barcelona started to threaten extra often.
Fermin Lopez ought to have doubled Barcelona’s lead after displaying tenacity to battle his method into the field, however scuffed his shot extensive.
La Liga’s prime goalscorer Lewandowski directed a header narrowly extensive from one other looking out Raphinha cross, and the in any other case quiet teenage star Lamine Yamal pressured a save from Dmitrovic at his close to publish.
With 20 minutes to go Raba headed dwelling for Leganes however had strayed offside and the aim was disallowed.
Diego Garcia may need levelled however directed a shot extensive of Szczesny’s far publish when well-placed.
In stoppage time former Barca ahead Munir El Haddadi broke by on aim for Leganes however was foiled by an excellent Martinez deal with which clinched his aspect’s win.
Leganes, nineteenth, are two factors from security after the defeat.
“It’s so robust… we go away with empty arms towards a Barca that, whereas it’s true they attacked towards us, they weren’t as environment friendly as regular, and you allow with a bitter feeling as a result of we put in an excellent efficiency,” Leganes midfielder Renato Tapia advised DAZN.
“We will do it (keep up), and I feel immediately we confirmed it.”
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