Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 win over Las Palmas in La Liga, with Brazilian winger Raphinha and Portuguese playmaker Joao Felix combining brilliantly to break the deadlock. The win extends Barcelona’s unbeaten streak to 11 matches, underscoring their resilience and growing cohesion under Xavi Hernández.
Match Overview
The game, played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, saw Barcelona dominate possession and chances from the start. However, their efforts were met with early frustration as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both had goals ruled out for offside in the first 20 minutes. The pivotal moment came shortly afterward when Las Palmas goalkeeper Álvaro Valles was shown a red card for a reckless foul on Raphinha, leaving the visitors to play with 10 men for over an hour.
Despite their numerical advantage, Barcelona struggled to convert their dominance into goals, managing only one shot on target from eight attempts in the first half. Misfiring in front of goal and a lack of sharpness from key attackers like Lewandowski and Raphinha kept the scoreline level at halftime.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half, when substitute Joao Felix delivered a perfectly weighted lob into the box. Raphinha latched onto it, showing composure to finish past the substitute goalkeeper, giving Barcelona the crucial lead.
Key Performances
Player Ratings:
- Marc-André ter Stegen (6/10): A quiet game for the German shot-stopper, as Las Palmas failed to register any serious threats.
- Jules Koundé (6/10): Solid defensively and contributed to attacks after Yamal’s substitution.
- Pau Cubarsí (7/10): Impressive display from the youngster, comfortable in possession and alert to danger.
- Íñigo Martínez (7/10): Reliable at the back, nullifying Las Palmas’ rare counter-attacks.
- Joao Cancelo (7/10): Active on the left flank, playing a crucial role in Barcelona’s build-up play.
Midfield Performances:
- Sergi Roberto (6/10): Made important tackles but lacked creativity going forward.
- İlkay Gündoğan (7/10): Controlled the tempo with smart passing, keeping the pressure on Las Palmas.
- Fermín López (6/10): Energetic but struggled to make an impact in the final third.
In Attack:
- Lamine Yamal (5/10): A quiet performance from the teenager, who appeared fatigued as the match wore on.
- Robert Lewandowski (6/10): Unlucky to have a goal disallowed and hit the crossbar but lacked his usual sharpness.
- Raphinha (8/10): Persistent throughout the match and finally delivered the winning goal after earlier frustrations.
Substitutes:
- Joao Felix (7/10): Injected energy and creativity, providing the decisive assist for Raphinha’s goal.
- Ferran Torres (6/10): Made efforts to influence the attack but lacked end product.
- Vitor Roque (5/10): Struggled to make an impact with limited touches.
- Oriol Romeu (5/10): Played late and had minimal influence.
Manager:
- Xavi Hernández (7/10): Made the right tactical changes, with Felix’s introduction proving decisive. However, the team’s finishing remains an area of concern.
Tactical Analysis
Barcelona controlled nearly 80% of possession, creating 20 shots on goal, but their inability to convert chances into goals highlighted inefficiencies in the final third. Xavi’s substitutions, particularly the introduction of Joao Felix, played a crucial role in unlocking a stubborn Las Palmas defense.
While the team’s creativity and pressing were commendable, missed chances by Raphinha, Lewandowski, and others suggest room for improvement, especially in high-pressure matches.
Looking Ahead
Barcelona’s victory keeps them firmly in the La Liga title race, extending their unbeaten run and boosting confidence. With 23 points from 11 matches, they continue to apply pressure on their rivals at the top of the table.
However, tougher challenges lie ahead, both in La Liga and in the Champions League. Xavi’s side will need to refine their finishing and maintain consistency to sustain their strong form. The next few fixtures, including a crucial test at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, will be pivotal in determining whether Barcelona can capitalize on their momentum and achieve their season objectives.
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