Las Palmas shocked La Liga leaders FC Barcelona with a 2-1 victory on Saturday, ruining the hosts’ 125th anniversary celebrations. Sandro Ramirez put the visitors ahead early in the second half, and after Raphinha’s equaliser, Fabio Silva scored to move his club up to 14th. Barcelona currently leads winners Real Madrid by four points. Although Los Blancos, who face Getafe on Sunday, have played two fewer games than Hansi Flick’s side.
November was meant to be an easy month for Hansi Flick and FC Barcelona. However, we all know that thinking that way is a formula for disaster. In La Liga, nothing is certain. The Canarians were always going to arrive in Barcelona determined to secure a massive win for the season. It is akin to a trophy in many respects. However, on Saturday, the Blaugrana beat themselves, and this time the manager is held accountable.
The Catalans have now gone three league games without a win after winning 11 of their previous 12 in the top tier. The Catalans were able to name teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to the bench after he recovered from an ankle injury. Alejandro Balde, the FC Barcelona defender, was taken off with a concussion in the first half after colliding with Sandro, and Gerard Martin replaced him.
Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona blunder
Instead, the four-man midfield, with Pablo Torre floating out wide, was never going to achieve the desired results. In addition, Pedri and Gavi’s double-pivot combo appeared to be out of sync. Las Palmas survived eight minutes of stoppage time, with Dutch goalkeeper Cillessen again saving from Yamal and two defenders desperately attempting to prevent a late Robert Lewandowski chance to seal the visitors’ victory.
Flick told reporters, “I don’t think there is a lack of confidence in the players. Players alone can’t win games, it’s always about the team. We need to have good connections in defense and attack, and today we didn’t have them. I believe in the players. I have confidence in them, but things are as they are.”
