LEGANÉS, Spain — Barcelona escaped with a narrow 1-0 victory over Leganes on Saturday, a result that stretched their advantage atop La Liga but highlighted ongoing struggles to dominate weaker opponents.
A clumsy own goal from Jorge Sáenz midway through the second half proved the difference, saving Barça from an afternoon that at times flirted with disaster. Despite the win, Hansi Flick’s men offered little of the flair expected from a team chasing an unprecedented quadruple this season.
“We knew it would be this kind of battle,” admitted Eric Garcia after the match. “Sometimes the ugly games are the ones that decide championships.”
The Catalan side, unbeaten in all competitions since January, found themselves stifled once again by a stubborn Leganes unit. Borja Jimenez’s side, desperate to claw their way out of the relegation zone, deployed a disruptive, stop-start strategy that paid dividends for much of the afternoon.
Leganes nearly struck first through Adria Altimira, who forced a sharp reaction save from Wojciech Szczesny after Dani Raba tore down the left wing. Barcelona, meanwhile, labored to produce meaningful opportunities in a grim first half that saw them lose Alejandro Balde to injury.
With the break offering little relief, Flick made changes — shifting Eric Garcia to central defense and introducing Frenkie de Jong. The tweak paid off. Early in the second period, Raphinha’s whipped delivery was inadvertently turned in by Sáenz, with Robert Lewandowski lurking close behind.
The own goal forced Leganes to abandon their deep block, allowing Barcelona to carve out better openings. Fermin Lopez squandered a prime chance to kill the game, dragging a shot wide after muscling his way into the box. Lewandowski, leading the league in goals, glanced a header just off target, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was denied at the near post.
Leganes continued to threaten, though. Diego Garcia flashed an effort wide, and Munir El Haddadi — once a Barcelona prodigy — nearly came back to haunt his former club, only to be denied by a sensational last-ditch tackle from Inigo Martinez.
Ultimately, Barcelona clung on to secure a vital three points. They now sit seven clear of Real Madrid, who play Alaves on Sunday.
For Leganes, the defeat leaves them precariously positioned at 19th, though midfielder Renato Tapia remained defiant: “We leave disappointed, yes, but we showed we can fight. We’re not done yet.”
