Barcelona fights off feisty Las Palmas to remain top of La Liga
Barca’s first-half display was uncharacteristically disjointed. The team appeared to be operating within a different setup, with Lamine Yamal drifting more centrally while Jules Koundé rarely ventured forward on the right flank. As a result, Barcelona’s attack was heavily funneled through the left side, relying on the pace of Alejandro Balde and Raphinha to generate chances. However, the approach became predictable, and Las Palmas defended with an organization they had lacked in their previous outing.
Despite Barcelona’s struggles, they still created opportunities. The best of the first half fell to Ferran Torres, who received the ball in the middle of the box but opted to lay it off for Robert Lewandowski instead of taking the shot himself—an ill-advised decision that wasted a golden chance.
Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez had a frustrating half, making several costly errors in possession, including a poor decision in front of goal. Flick recognized the need for change, making the right call to substitute Fermín at halftime in favor of Dani Olmo.
The second half was a completely different story, largely due to Olmo’s immediate impact. The Spanish midfielder adapted quickly to the pace of the game and linked up well with Yamal, forming a dangerous attacking duo. Their connection nearly produced a goal on multiple occasions before the breakthrough finally arrived in the 62nd minute.
Yamal showcased his elite dribbling ability, slipping past a defender before threading a perfect pass into the box for Olmo. Surrounded by three Las Palmas defenders, Olmo displayed remarkable composure, maneuvering through the pressure before slotting his shot past the goalkeeper. It was a moment of brilliance, and his overall influence on the match earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match award.
Barcelona’s aggressive attacking philosophy naturally invites defensive challenges, and Las Palmas did not go quietly. The backline was tested, particularly with Balde and Kounde positioned high up the pitch, leaving Eric García and Pau Cubarsi with significant defensive responsibility.
Cubarsi, in particular, was outstanding. The young defender delivered a defensive masterclass, making numerous critical interceptions and halting several Las Palmas attacks before they could materialize into real danger.
Barcelona's persistence paid off in stoppage time when a misplaced pass from Las Palmas gifted possession to Raphinha in the attacking third. The Brazilian wasted no time, threading a perfect ball to an unmarked Ferran Torres, who made no mistake from close range to seal the win in the 95th minute.
With the 2-0 victory, Barcelona reclaimed their place at the top of La Liga for the moment, but the title race remains as fierce as ever. Real Madrid will look to respond tomorrow against Girona in a showdown that could further shape this thrilling battle for the championship. With each passing week, the margin for error grows slimmer, and Barcelona must navigate the challenges ahead with precision if they hope to lift the trophy at season’s end.