Barcelona came away with a hard-earned 1-0 victory against Leganes in a match that could prove decisive in the La Liga title race.
Though the result may seem narrow, the importance of these kinds of games cannot be overstated. With only a single own goal separating the sides, the win still carries significant weight as the league heads into its final stretch.
Leganes had previously beaten Barcelona at Montjuic earlier in the season, so the players knew the dangers going into the match. This time, they were determined not to slip up.
Eric Garcia takes the floor
Eric Garcia, who delivered a strong performance in both midfield and defence, underlined the importance of staying focused during such demanding games.
He admitted the team had some trouble dealing with Leganes’ counterattacks, especially in the first half, but remained confident about the overall result.
“The manager warned us about the results Leganés had against the top teams and today was no different.
“They played a very good game. They hurt us a lot on the counterattack in the first half and in the second, I think we lost the ball a few times, which made things difficult for us.
“But in the end, the important thing in this type of game is the three points,” he explained.
He also mentioned that the team is handling the physically demanding schedule well and praised the depth of the squad. Young players like Gerard Martin are seizing their opportunities, which bodes well for the remainder of the season.
“It’s non-stop. Let’s hope Balde’s situation isn’t too long, but hey, I think we’re all in the groove, and that was evident today with Gerard, who was very good.
“The manager gives us all opportunities, and we know how to take advantage of them. We’re doing very well in these moments where everything is a final.”
Gerard Martin’s turn
Martin, speaking after the match, acknowledged the difficulty of breaking down Leganes’ defence early on but felt the team improved after the break.
“They were well-positioned, and we struggled a bit to get the ball moving at the start, trying to find the spaces. We improved a lot in the second half,” he said.
While he refused to get carried away with the result, he did admit that earning a slight edge in the title race helps boost team morale.
“We do feel more at ease having gained this momentary advantage and seeing that the end of LaLiga is approaching. We know we haven’t done ...
