midfield Pedri Barcelona were in shocking form after losing 1-0 at home to Leganes on Sunday and must turn things around quickly.
Sergio GonzalezA fourth-minute goal turned the difference as Barca failed to win for the fifth time in their last six league games.
They took just five points from a possible 18 in that game and their lead at the top of the table has evaporated. They are now level on points with Atletico Madrid, who host next weekend, and one point ahead of Real Madrid, who both have a game in hand.
“It was a bad game, it’s impossible to be happy,” Pedri told reporters after the defeat. “I think we started the game half asleep. We woke up and created chances, but we didn’t have the spark we needed to score.
“We have to perform better in front of goal if we want to get points. We were not doing well in the league and we have to turn that around.”
It was Leganes’ first away win in La Liga this season, while Barca have now lost their last two games at the Stadio Olimpico after losing to Las Palmas two weeks ago.
However, Barca are still in good form in the Champions League, winning five of six games, including a 3-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund in midweek, and Pedri hopes they can carry their European form into the league.
“We’ve played a lot of games in a row but that’s no excuse, we have to finish with the same confidence as in the Champions League,” he added. “If you don’t score goals in football, you can’t win.”
Gonzalez’s early goal paved the way for Barca’s attack but they couldn’t find a way past the visitors’ goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. Barcelona ended the game with over 20 shots on goal, including six from Lewandowski, who had an xG of 1.65.
With Hansi Flick suspended, assistant coach Marcus Sorg took over from the German on the touchline and admitted Barca’s young squad may have to adapt to the ups and downs of the season.
“In La Liga it is very difficult and at the moment we are struggling in games,” Sorg told a news conference. “Today, especially in the first 10 minutes, we were not as focused as usual or sometimes [like we have] In the Champions League.
“We conceded a goal and then the team did everything to create a goal. We created a lot of chances and I think 21 and five or six were good chances and that’s the problem. We have to understand that, understand The situation of the players.” [have to get] Get used to playing once every three or four days.
“We’re definitely not happy with the way things are going. But sometimes if you want to build a team you have to accept that there will be ups and downs along the way.”
at the same time, Ramin Yamal Suffered an ankle injury in the first half but held on until late in the second half. He will undergo testing on Monday to see if there is any long-term damage.
Barca hope he will be available for next weekend’s final game of 2024 at home to Atletico Madrid. The Catalan side’s poor record, combined with Atletico’s sixth successive win, means they go into this game top of La Liga on points.
