Barcelona have dropped points for the fifth time in the last six games LaLiga Play thanks to a very frustrating 0-1 home defeat against Leganés Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Barça conceded an early goal and created plenty of chances for a comeback, but were extremely wasteful in front of goal and lost at home to a relegation candidate for the second year in a row. Furthermore, Barça will finish the weekend level on points with Atlético Madrid at the top of the table ahead of next week’s monster clash.

FIRST HALF

Barça got off to a terrible start and allowed Leganés to create a huge chance, which resulted in a save from Iñaki Peña, denying a clear chance for Munir El-Haddadi. But the ensuing corner was headed home by captain Sergio González and the visitors were ahead less than five minutes into the action.

The Blaugrana reacted well to falling behind, dominated the game and created some huge chances. But Leganés goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic had a perfect first half, making three monster saves to deny Robert Lewandowski twice and Raphinha once to keep his team in the lead.

The Catalans had plenty of other really good moments that were stopped either by timely intervention from the visiting defense or poor decisions by the Barça attackers, and players like Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo missed big chances themselves through poor execution on relatively simple shots in the box.

It was hard to understand how Barça could be behind given their dominance, but when the half-time whistle blew they were still behind and had to be much more efficient up front to score the winning goals in the second half.

SECOND HALF

Barça dominated and continued to put Leganés under pressure throughout the final period and continued to create real chances. Jules Kounde missed two huge goals, Lewandowski missed another himself and Fermín López had a sure strike on the line.

The Blaugrana Tried until the end and shot a free kick in perfect position to finish, but Raphinha’s effort went over the crossbar and the final whistle confirmed Leganés’ unlikely victory.

This was an extremely frustrating defeat in a game that Barça dominated and that they should have won easily, but their wastefulness in front of goal cost them three huge points at home against a relegation candidate. They are still at the top of the table but are now level on points with red-hot Atlético Madrid and the two meet next weekend.

It looks like inconsistency will be the theme of this Barça season and we’ll have to get used to more games like this. There is a feeling that Barça can beat anyone and lose to anyone, and that is not the formula for a great team.

Barcelona: Pena; Kounde, Eric (Cubarsí 74′), Iñigo, Balde; Casadó (Víctor 80′), Pedri; Yamal (Gavi 75′), Olmo (Fermín 66′), Raphinha; Lewandowski (Ferran 66′)

Goals: None

Leganes: Dmitrovic; Altimira, González, Sáenz, Tapia (Brasanac 45+2′), Hernández; Munir (Nastasic 58′), Cissé (Raba 82′), Neyou, Oscar; Miguel (García 58′)

Goal: Gonzalez (4′)