Barcelona’s 125th-anniversary celebrations were significantly marred by a surprising 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on a recent Saturday. This loss not only deepened Barça’s troubles in La Liga, extending their winless streak to three games, but it also granted Real Madrid a crucial chance to narrow the gap in the title race. Former Barcelona player Sandro Ramírez showcased his skill by scoring the opening goal early in the second half, reminding fans of his potential in a striking manner. Although Brazilian winger Raphinha managed to equalize with a stunning goal shortly thereafter, it was Las Palmas’ Fábio Silva who ultimately sealed the win with a late goal that capitalized on a defensive mistake from Barcelona.
The day’s events took a troubling turn for Barcelona when young left-back Alejandro Balde had to be stretchered off after a heavy collision with Ramírez in the 26th minute. This injury not only raised concerns over Balde’s condition but also cast a shadow over Barcelona’s performance, as they dominated possession yet struggled to convert their numerous chances into goals. Barcelona recorded a total of 26 shots throughout the match, but the experienced Las Palmas goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen was resolute in goal, thwarting their efforts to find the back of the net. This defensive solidity from Las Palmas was pivotal in allowing them to withstand the pressure from the home side.
In the 51st minute, Las Palmas executed a flawless counterattack, which culminated in Sandro’s opening goal, igniting celebrations within the visiting team’s camp as they took a 1-0 lead. Barcelona needed a response, and it came in the form of a well-timed play involving 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who had just come off the bench. The interplay between Yamal and Pedri led to Raphinha being in space to unleash a powerful left-footed shot that leveled the match at 1-1. Raphinha, who noted his efforts to assist his team, expressed disappointment that their response wasn’t sufficient to secure a victory and acknowledged the need for the players to quickly regroup.
Las Palmas, however, did not let the equalizer deter their momentum. Just ten minutes after conceding, they responded decisively. A perfectly placed pass from Javi Muñoz sliced through Barcelona’s high defensive line, allowing Fábio Silva to make a clear run towards goal. Silva displayed composure as he slotted the ball past Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Iñaki Peña, netting his fifth league goal of the season and securing the much-needed three points for his team. Following the match, Silva expressed pride in his team’s cohesive performance, emphasizing the importance of their tactical discipline and effectiveness in capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick reflected on the match with frustration, noting that despite having the majority of possession and opportunities to score, the team lacked the decisive edge needed to secure a goal. He pointed out that a collective defensive effort was necessary, stressing that the team’s inability to score necessitated a stronger commitment to defense from all players, not just those positioned in the backline. Flick’s comments illustrated the challenges facing Barcelona, as they search for solutions to their recent struggles and attempt to reclaim their winning form in subsequent fixtures.
The consequence of this defeat leaves Barcelona with 34 points in La Liga, just four points ahead of a resurgent Real Madrid, who now have two games in hand, making the title race increasingly competitive as the season approaches its midpoint. A potential Madrid victory against Getafe on Sunday could see the gap narrowed to a mere point, signaling a tense shift in the title contest. Meanwhile, Las Palmas celebrated their monumental win, propelling them out of the relegation zone and into 14th place. Fábio Silva emphasized the significance of their hard-fought victory, remarking that the three points were crucial to their season, proving that solid teamwork and determination could yield significant results even against established giants like Barcelona. This loss also represented a historic milestone, marking Barcelona’s first home defeat to Las Palmas since 1971, further accentuating the shock of the outcome.
