Barcelona experienced a surprising setback on Saturday, suffering its first home defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss to Las Palmas, the Liga leader. This defeat is particularly noteworthy as it marks Las Palmas’ first victory at Barcelona in over fifty years, adding a historic touch to their triumph.
Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva found the net for Las Palmas, while Raphinha managed to equalize briefly for Barcelona. Despite a strong start to the season under new coach Hansi Flick, where the team enjoyed impressive wins over rivals like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, Barcelona has now gone three rounds in La Liga without securing a victory. Prior to the match against Las Palmas, they suffered a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad and a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo, where they squandered a two-goal lead.
This unexpected drop in form means that Real Madrid could soon surpass Barcelona in La Liga standings, trailing by just four points but having two games in hand. Raphinha emphasized the need for the team to reassess their game and focus on improving their performance to secure the league title, as they prepare for their next match against Mallorca.
Las Palmas celebrated this significant achievement, with Sandro reflecting on the hard work that led to their victory against a historically dominant side. The match also marked a welcome return for Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who had been sidelined due to injury, albeit it ended on a bittersweet note with Alejandro Balde being carried off on a stretcher following a collision.
In other matches, Antoine Griezmann shone for Atlético Madrid, scoring a standout goal in their 5-0 rout of Valladolid, while Espanyol managed to end their losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Celta.
This match not only showcases the unpredictable nature of football but highlights Las Palmas’ potential to create memorable moments against the odds. As the season progresses, the pressure mounts for Barcelona to recapture their early season form.
The resilience and determination of teams like Las Palmas serve as a reminder that every match is an opportunity for triumph, and the joy of unexpected victories can uplift both clubs and their supporters.