Barcelona vs Las Palmas La Liga Loss, Barcelona’s struggles in La Liga continued as they suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Hansi Flick’s side lacked the clinical edge needed to secure a victory, allowing relegation-threatened Las Palmas to capitalize on their opportunities.
This defeat is a huge blow to Barcelona’s La Liga title ambitions, as Real Madrid now have the chance to close the gap at the top. With only one point from their last three games, Barcelona must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks in the fiercely competitive title race.
Barcelona Player Ratings vs Las Palmas: Raphinha’s Heroics Not Enough as Barcelona vs Las Palmas La Liga loss
Match Overview
First Half
The match began with Las Palmas showcasing their attacking intent. They exploited Barcelona’s high defensive line early on, but their inability to convert chances kept the game level. Barcelona soon gained control of the game, with Raphinha emerging as their brightest spark. The Brazilian winger almost broke the deadlock just before half-time, hitting the crossbar after a dazzling solo run from the halfway line.
Second Half
The second half brought more drama. Las Palmas opened the scoring with a counter-attack finished brilliantly by Sandro Ramirez. Hansi Flick responded with five substitutions, including bringing on Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, which paid off temporarily as Pedri set up Raphinha for a stunning equalizer.
However, just when Barcelona seemed to regain control, a brilliant pass from Javi Munoz found Fabio Silva, who secured the win for Las Palmas with a composed finish. Despite late attempts from Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, Barcelona couldn’t find the equalizer as former Blaugrana goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen stood firm.
RAPHINHA HITS THE CROSSBAR! 😱 pic.twitter.com/HqJzvlGRpN
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 30, 2024
Barcelona Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Inaki Pena (6/10): Made a crucial save early on but was left helpless for both goals.
- Jules Kounde (5/10): Struggled to keep up with the pace of Las Palmas’ attack.
- Pau Cubarsi (7/10): Reliable in aerial duels but lacked composure during counter-attacks.
- Inigo Martinez (6/10): A steady presence but couldn’t prevent the defensive collapse.
- Alejandro Balde (N/A): Subbed off after 25 minutes due to injury.
Midfield
- Gavi (6/10): Showed grit in midfield but lacked creativity.
- Pedri (7/10): Provided the assist for Raphinha’s goal and controlled the tempo well.
- Pablo Torre (4/10): Failed to make an impact with misplaced passes and poor decision-making.
Attack
- Raphinha (8/10): Barcelona’s standout performer, scoring a superb equalizer and hitting the woodwork.
- Robert Lewandowski (5/10): Struggled to find space and wasted a key chance late on.
- Fermin Lopez (4/10): Poor performance characterized by indecision and missed opportunities.
Substitutes & Manager
- Gerard Martin (5/10): Offered little defensively or offensively after replacing Balde.
- Lamine Yamal (6/10): Showed flashes of brilliance but was contained by Las Palmas’ defense.
- Ferran Torres (6/10): Injected pace and energy into Barcelona’s attack.
- Frenkie de Jong (6/10): Stabilized midfield but couldn’t influence the game significantly.
- Hector Fort (4/10): Poor effort allowed Silva to score the winning goal.
- Hansi Flick (4/10): Failed to inspire his team despite tactical changes.
Key Takeaways from the Game
- Raphinha’s Brilliance:
The Brazilian winger was a lone bright spot, consistently troubling Las Palmas with his direct runs and a well-taken goal. However, he lacked support from his teammates, highlighting Barcelona’s reliance on individual brilliance. - Defensive Woes:
Barcelona’s high line was exploited multiple times, leading to both Las Palmas goals. Flick’s defensive setup remains a major concern, especially against counter-attacking teams. - Missed Opportunities:
Despite having 70% possession and 24 attempts, Barcelona failed to convert crucial chances, with Lewandowski and Raphinha both coming close but falling short. - Las Palmas’ Resilience:
The relegation candidates put on a spirited display, taking their chances clinically and defending valiantly to secure a memorable victory.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s shock defeat to Las Palmas underscores the challenges Hansi Flick faces in revitalizing the squad’s form. With Real Madrid closing in on the league leaders, the Blaugrana cannot afford further slip-ups. While Raphinha’s individual brilliance offers hope, a more cohesive and clinical approach is required to maintain their title push.
With upcoming fixtures against Mallorca and Copa del Rey action against CE Europa, Barcelona must bounce back quickly to restore confidence and momentum in their campaign.
🎙️ Hansi Flick and Iñigo Martínez talk about Saturday’s game against Las Palmas. pic.twitter.com/Vne925YeBY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 30, 2024
FAQs About Barcelona vs Las Palmas La Liga Loss
- What was the final score of Barcelona vs Las Palmas?
The final score was 2-1 in favor of Las Palmas, with goals from Sandro Ramirez and Fabio Silva. - Who scored Barcelona’s only goal?
Raphinha scored Barcelona’s goal with a stunning strike from outside the box. - Why was Alejandro Balde substituted early in the game?
Alejandro Balde was stretchered off in the 25th minute due to an injury. - How did Las Palmas exploit Barcelona’s defense?
Las Palmas capitalized on Barcelona’s high defensive line, scoring both goals through quick counter-attacks. - What’s next for Barcelona after this defeat?
Barcelona will face Mallorca in La Liga on December 3, followed by a Copa del Rey clash against CE Europa on December 4.
Must Read: Barcelona 125th Anniversary
Barcelona 125th anniversary: Magic Messi’s heartfelt tribute to Barcelona will make you cry.