BARCELONA, Spain – In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona suffered its first home defeat of the season, falling 2-1 to Las Palmas in a match that left fans stunned. Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva netted the goals for Las Palmas, while Raphinha scored the equalizer for Barcelona, marking a historic victory for the visiting team as it secured its first win at Barcelona in over five decades.
Under new coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona had been riding high after impressive victories against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, having won all eight of their preceding home games. However, their recent form has been concerning, with the team now going three rounds in La Liga without a win. Prior to the match against Las Palmas, they lost to Real Sociedad and drew with Celta Vigo, despite once holding a two-goal advantage in the latter.
After the game, Raphinha expressed disappointment, stating that his individual performance mattered little compared to securing team victories. He emphasized the need for the team to critically analyze their recent performances, as they prepare for their next match against Mallorca. The loss has allowed Real Madrid to close the gap, positioning them just four points behind Barcelona with two games still to play.
Las Palmas celebrated a significant milestone, as this victory marked only their third win at the Camp Nou, having previously endured 34 losses and three draws when visiting the Catalan giants. Sandro, a former youth player at Barcelona, highlighted the team’s belief in hard work as the key to achieving such results.
In a separate incident during the match, Barcelona’s left-back Alejandro Balde was forced to leave the field on a stretcher following a collision, raising concerns for his condition.
On a brighter note, Atlético Madrid remains only two points behind Barcelona after a commanding 5-0 victory over Valladolid, while Espanyol also terminated their losing streak with a solid 3-1 win against Celta.
This match, although disappointing for Barcelona, could serve as a wake-up call, urging the team to regroup and refocus their efforts. With the league’s title race still competitive, there remains an opportunity for Barcelona to regain its form and secure the championship.
### Summary:
Barcelona experienced an unexpected home defeat to Las Palmas, marking its first loss of the season at the Camp Nou. Las Palmas celebrated a historic win, while Barcelona’s recent form raises concerns ahead of upcoming matches that could shape the outcome of the league. With Atlético Madrid closing in, the title race remains tight, suggesting an intriguing conclusion to the season.