FC Barcelona‘s 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund has left them in an excellent position in the Champions League, but this Sunday at 9pm CET, attention switches back to The Leaguewhere things have not been going so well in recent weeks.
The Catalans are still top of the table, but just one win from the last five games means that their lead is nothing like as strong as it was in early November, with Real Madrid and Atlético now back within touching distance, and both with a game in hand. However, Real’s 3-3 draw away to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday has handed Barça the chance to widen the gap again, while Atlético entertain Getafe earlier on Sunday at 2pm CET.
The opponents this weekend are Leganeswho went into the weekend just two points clear of the relegation zone. On paper, the game presents an ideal chance for Barça to bag three much-needed points. However, defeat to another struggling club, The Palmsthe last time Barça played at home is a sufficient reminder that no team can be underestimated in this competition.
Leganes
The side from southern Madrid had spent their entire existence in the lower leagues until they won promotion to La Liga for the first time ever in 2016. They managed to hold their place in the elite for four years before dropping back down to the second division. But under Borja Jimenez they have returned for a second shot at the big time.
Their return to the top division hasn’t gone entirely to plan so far. They have only won three games, and none at all away from home. Only Espanyol, Real Valladolid and Valencia have poorer records. A 3-0 loss at home to Royal Society last weekend doesn’t suggest things are getting any better.
Most international appearances
Renato Tapia (Peru 86), Matija Nastasić (Serbia 34), Sébastien Haller (Ivory Coast 27), Marko Dmitrović (Serbia 19), Seydouba Cissé (Guinea 16), Yvan Neyou (Cameroon 11), Munir El Haddadi (Morocco 11) , Jackson Porozo (Ecuador 8)
Barça connections
There was much excitement when Munir El Haddadi (below) broke into the Barça first team in 2014, and he even earned a first cap for Spain. But things never quite worked out, and after spells at Valencia, Alavés, Sevilla, Getafe and Las Palmas, the forward is now in his first season at Leganés. Following a change in FIFA regulations, he also switched allegiances to his family’s homeland of Morocco. He scored in both of his first two games against Barça, but hasn’t netted at all in the eight that followed.
Munir el Haddadi. 2018
Munir el Haddadi. 2018
Winger Naim García spent the second half of last season on loan to Barça Atlètic, scoring four goals before an injury interrupted his progress.
Defenders Adrià Altimira and Enrique Franquesa are both from Catalonia and spent some of their teenage years at La Masia.
Head to Head
Last five meetings
6/16/2020 (LEAGUE) Barcelona 2-0 Barça
1/30/2020 (CUP) Barcelona 5-0 Leganes
11/23/2019 (LIGA) Leganes 1-2 Barça
1/20/2019 (LEAGUE) Barça 3-1 Leganes
9/26/2018 (LIGA) Leganes 2-1 Barça
In nine meetings (including one in the cup), results have predictably gone very much in favour of Barça against this opponent, with eight wins. The sole exception was an unexpected 2-1 reverse at the Butarque Municipal Stadium in 2018. When Barça have had home advantage it’s been wins all the way, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two.
Team news
The good news is that Ronald Araujowho has yet to play this season, is fully fit again. He was in the squad against Dortmund but didn’t feature, but the word from Hansi Flick (who is suspended himself for this one) is that the Uruguayan will probably get to feature here. Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen are also back training, but it’s too soon for either of them to return on Sunday.
Raphinha took a knock in Germany, but it was nothing serious, and he could play. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal remain out of action.
For the visitors, Darko Brasanac, Dani Raba and Enric Franquesa are all injured, and Valentin Rosier must serve a suspension.
Hansi says
“I told the team that everything is up to us, on whether we play 100% focused. All teams, as is normal, look for our weaknesses and will fight to exploit them. I want us to stay 100% focused, with respect for the opponent, but we must play our game, in our style. Everything is up to us.”
“Tomorrow, we’re playing against Leganés. We’re not thinking about Atlético. Decisions have to be made regarding the players. It’s fine to make some rotations, but we haven’t decided yet. It’s possible … What I’m planning is for [Araujo] to play his first minutes of the season. I’m not sure if he’ll start in the XI. How many minutes? I don’t know. We’ll have to see.”
On his suspension: “At the start of the season, I told the players I didn’t want complaints about referees or opponents. The focus should be on the game and what we’re doing. It’s not worth wasting energy on anything else. When a referee makes a decision, we can’t change it. We have to accept it. And I have to accept the red card.”
