Three takeaways for Hansi Flick from Leganes 0-1 Barcelona | La Liga | OneFootball

Hansi Flick did not hold back in Barcelona’s league game against Leganes, especially after the clash against Borussia Dortmund, despite many claiming that the team was set for serious rotations.

Knowing the importance of three points for the league title race, the manager largely stuck to the same starting lineup with only Frenkie de Jong and Pau Cubarsi replaced by Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo, respectively.

The first half went goalless, with the proceedings being largely cagey. Barcelona even suffered a huge blow when Alejandro Balde left the field injured and reports say he may face a few weeks out.

The second period, however, saw Barcelona earn an early own-goal to take the lead and they resiliently held on to keep all three points.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points from Leganes 0-1 Barcelona.

A stylistic misfit

Barcelona have been on a revenge run in the second half of the season, winning against almost all the teams they dropped points to in the first half of La Liga.

Barcelona had a hard time containing Leganes. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

They were dominant against Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas and many others, but Leganes last night was the team who gave them a serious headache the second time around as well.

Borja Jimenez’s side are currently fighting for their survival in the first division, but they fought neck to neck with Barcelona for the better part of the game last night.

Their ability to frustrate Flick’s side for the second time in two games, needless to say, shows that they possess a style that does not suit Barcelona’s current dynamic well.

Leganes started knowing well that even a point is a good result for them and only looked to strike on the counter-attack. They started with a four-man defence and a five-man midfield operating in a low block, cutting off all of Barcelona’s channels.

While Barcelona have broken down low blocks often this season, the absence of Dani Olmo and the off-performance from Lamine Yamal did not help. Barcelona did not open up the host’s defence as often as they would have liked to.

The 90 minutes seemed unending at one point, but Barcelona battled through it and pulled off three valuable points.

Inigo Martinez’s ‘Goal’

Inigo Martinez made a crucial interception. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Barcelona lacked their attacking efficiency against Leganes last night and it is ironic how they won the game with no player scoring a goal across the ninety minutes.

The only time the ball went into the back of the net was when Jorge Saenz deflected Raphinha’s cross into the back of his own goal and gave Barcelona the lead. Barring that, the Catalans did not breach Marko Dmitrovic’s barrier on any occasion.

Yet, there was one player who made a contribution as valuable, if not more, than the own goal and who was solely responsible for the team taking home three points – Inigo Martinez’s critical interception.

The Spanish defender had a splendid game at the back, leading the defence and playing a crucial part in the team’s buildup and transitions.

His biggest contribution, however, came in the 91st minute on the night when Leganes star Munir El Haddadi was virtually in a 1v1 situation against Wojciech Szczesny.

Martinez, however, warriored on and dared to lunge into a sliding tackle from behind, precisely took the ball off the player with his toes and saved the night for Barcelona. After all, a goal at that point would leave no scope for a comeback.

The team celebrated Martinez’s tackle as nothing less than a goal, and rightfully so. In the long run, his tackle may go down as the league-winning tackle for Barcelona.

Pressure on Real Madrid

Barcelona are in a commanding position. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Saturday night’s game was not easy for Barcelona by any means, and the scoreline was nowhere close to reflective of how the team has played this season.

For a team that has made a four-goal margin normal, the 1-0 win in itself seems like a defeat. However, the three points Barcelona secured could not be more valuable.

With the win over Leganes, Flick’s men move to 70 points with seven games to go and are seven points clear of Real Madrid. Los Blancos, however, have a game in hand and will play later today.

Barcelona’s result, however, puts unreal pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s men who already have all their plans and resources focused towards the UEFA Champions League game next week against Arsenal.

Carlo Ancelotti’s idea was to rotate his team heavily against Alaves later today to keep his stars fresh for the UCL clash. Now, however, the pressure mounts on Real Madrid for fielding a second-string team and dropping points may even cost them the title.