Barcelona played Las Palmas on the pitch with one aim, to win once more and stay in the La Liga title race. Hansi Flick's side did not have an easy night, but they fought their way through to emerge victorious and stay at the top. It was a match where patience and efficiency were the difference, especially in the second half.
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A stalemate first half and a wake-up call for Flick
Despite the gap in the quality of the two squads, the first half of the match belonged to Barcelona, but they performed below their levels. They held the ball a near 70% of the time but couldn't translate their dominance into proper scoring opportunities. Las Palmas, a relegated team, kept their defense stable and were capable of keeping Barcelona's attack in check.
Lamine Yamal, always a Barça firecracker, was the most dangerous player in the first half. He had a magnificent goal at his fingertips, only to see his curling shot catch the post. Little came from Las Palmas on the other side, but they were able to probe Barça's defense by taking advantage of collapses in their defensive transitions.
Hansi Flick, so highly commended for his work to this point, once again saw his team struggle against a good defense. This is an issue which needs to be fixed, and fast, because more challenging opponents won't be as forgiving.
Dani Olmo steps in and changes the game
At halftime, Flick turned to Dani Olmo, and the substitution worked. Still developing his way back into peak condition after a spell of injuries, Olmo came on fresh and had an influence on the game.
In the 62nd minute, after a buildup by Lamine Yamal, Olmo made a series of attempts before finally finding the back of the net with the ball. A goal that calmed Barcelona's nerves and punished the perseverance of a player of the technical quality to be able to make his mark.
With the initiative having been taken, Barça managed to create some space to maneuver and were able to quickly open up a bigger gap but were unable to capitalize on some good chances. Las Palmas attempted to stage a comeback but were met with a good defense by the Catalans, as Wojciech Szczesny moved forward with crucial stops.
Controversy and the goal that sealed it
There was some drama in the game when Balde was adjudged to have committed a handball within the box. The referee went for VAR, but only reversed any penalty assertions upon confirming an offside during buildup. The move was protested by Las Palmas players, but the officials were firm with their protocol.
In stoppage time, Barcelona put the game to bed. Raphinha delivered a pinpoint cross, and Ferran Torres positioned himself at the precise moment, shooting one that rebounded off the crossbar and into the net. A goal that sealed the three points and saw Barça hold on to the top spot in La Liga.
What this win means
This victory is just another sign that Barcelona is once again a title contender. This was not their most spectacular showing, but they showed the maturity to do it in the second half. Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres delivered when they needed to deliver, proving to everyone the significance of having some depth in the squad.
Hansi Flick's run without defeat is doing the same, 13 games without defeat, matching a record set by Xavi in 2023. There is still much to go to reach Luis Enrique's fantastic 23-game run without defeat in 2016.
Tough challenges ahead
Now, Barcelona has to stay concentrated. Critical battles are on the horizon, like crucial matches in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. The battle against Benfica in the UCL Round of 16 will be a real test for Flick's side and their ambitions.
The win at Las Palmas was vital for Barça's rhythm but also a warning: breaking thick defenses remains an issue. If they can sort that out, this team has everything it takes to fight for any title until the end of the season.