Barcelona secured a vital 1-0 win over Las Palmas in their latest La Liga fixture on Saturday. The match showcased the excellent combination of Brazilian and Portuguese attackers as Raphinha and Joao Felix provided the spark for Barcelona’s success. The home side dominated possession throughout the match, particularly after Las Palmas was reduced to 10 men for more than an hour. With this win, Xavi’s men extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches, a testament to their growing confidence and cohesion on the pitch.
Match Overview: Barcelona’s Domination Despite Frustrations
Barcelona started the match with great intensity, showing their attacking potential early on. Both Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha had goals disallowed for offside within the first 20 minutes, highlighting the fine margins of the game. However, the pivotal moment came when Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles fouled Raphinha recklessly, earning a red card and leaving Las Palmas with 10 men.
With the numerical advantage, Barcelona firmly took control of the match. Despite creating numerous opportunities, they faced frustration in converting those chances into goals. Key players like Lewandowski and Raphinha struggled with accuracy, while Lamine Yamal, though energetic, appeared fatigued as the match wore on. Barcelona managed just one target from eight shots in the first half, which would have concerned coach Xavi.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second half when Joao Felix came on as a substitute and made an immediate impact. His perfectly weighted lob set up Raphinha, who scored with a deft touch to seal the 1-0 victory for Barcelona.
Player Ratings: Barcelona’s Performance
- Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10): Had very little to do as Las Palmas failed to test his goalkeeping skills.
- Jules Kounde (6/10): Solid defensively and offered support in attack after the substitution of Yamal.
- Pau Cubarsi (7/10): Comfortable in possession, solid defensively, and a key figure in the backline.
- Inigo Martinez (7/10): Handled Las Palmas’ minimal threats effectively, ensuring their counter-attacks were stifled.
- Joao Cancelo (7/10): Provided strong support on the left, frequently involved in Barcelona’s build-up play.
Midfield:
- Sergi Roberto (6/10): Composed performance, making key tackles to disrupt Las Palmas’ counter-attacks.
- Ilkay Gundogan (7/10): Smart passing and effective in maintaining possession, helping to build pressure on the opposition.
- Fermin Lopez (6/10): Energetic, but struggled with shooting accuracy when in attacking positions.
Attack:
- Lamine Yamal (5/10): A subdued performance, failing to make an impact as he faded during the match.
- Robert Lewandowski (6/10): Saw an early goal ruled out and hit the crossbar but didn’t have a decisive impact on the match.
- Raphinha (8/10): Showed persistence, scoring the winning goal after an earlier disallowed strike, showcasing resilience and determination.
Substitutes:
- Joao Felix (7/10): Came on and made an immediate impact with an assist, proving his worth as a game-changer.
- Ferran Torres (6/10): Had a shot saved but continued to influence the attack.
- Vitor Roque (5/10): Limited involvement and couldn’t contribute significantly.
- Oriol Romeu (5/10): Didn’t have an impact in the midfield battle.
Xavi (7/10): His tactical decisions helped Barcelona create numerous chances, and his substitutions were effective in securing the win.
Barcelona’s Resilience and Momentum
Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Las Palmas builds on their growing momentum in La Liga. Despite frustrations in front of goal, the team showed resilience and maintained pressure throughout the match. Their ability to create chances, even when struggling to convert, remains a promising sign for the future.
As Barcelona prepares for their next set of fixtures, including an exciting challenge at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, the pressing question is whether they can maintain this form and continue their pursuit of success in the league.