Barcelona Eyes Victory Against Leganés to Secure League Lead

MADRID, Spain — FC Barcelona seeks to maintain its position at the top of LaLiga when it faces CD Leganés on Saturday, April 12, at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque. The match, part of the 31st round of the tournament, kicks off at 9:00 PM local time.

Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona hopes to build on a recent victory, having won the Supercopa de España in January. Despite a title-less 2023-2024 season, the team is resurgent, looking for a decisive win against a struggling Leganés squad that currently sits in the relegation zone with only 28 points.

Barcelona’s lineup features goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and a strong front, with Robert Lewandowski leading the attack alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Flick has made two changes to the starting eleven since their last Champions League match, inserting Ronald Araújo in defense for Cubarsí and replacing Frenkie de Jong with Eric García in midfield.

“It’s crucial for us to secure three points,” said Barcelona’s coach Flick during a press briefing. “We can’t afford to lose our momentum as we approach the latter stages of the season.” He emphasized the importance of resting key players while still fielding a competitive team.

On the other side, Borja Jiménez, the Leganés coach, has made significant adjustments in his squad, bringing back Oscar Rodríguez from injury, hoping to fortify the team’s defense. Jiménez guided the pepineros to a surprising 1-0 victory over Barcelona during their previous encounter this season, adding a layer of urgency for the visiting team.

“We’ve had a challenging season, but playing against a top team like Barcelona motivates us,” Jiménez stated. “We aim to capitalize on any weaknesses and put up a strong fight at home.”

Leganés fans, known for their passionate support, rallied behind their team as they prepared to welcome the Catalan club into their stadium. The home side hopes to take advantage of their home-field atmosphere despite their current standing in the league.

The importance of this match is underscored further for Barcelona, as they seek to extend their lead over rivals Real Madrid, who are closely following with 63 points. Both teams are keen to secure victories this weekend to maintain their respective objectives.

As the match approaches, anticipation builds among both sets of supporters, with Leganés fans hoping their team can summon the spirit to upset the leaders once again.