Barcelona Aim to Maintain LaLiga Lead as They Face Las Palmas in Crucial Clash

Posted : 21 February 2025

Barcelona travel to Las Palmas on Saturday in LaLiga, aiming to achieve what both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have failed to do in recent weeks. Having reclaimed the top spot in the standings on goal difference ahead of Los Blancos, Hansi Flick's side is determined to maintain their position. The Catalans had led the league for much of the first half of the season, but a slump in form during November and December saw them slip to third place.

Atletico briefly took the lead before Real Madrid capitalized on their struggles in January. However, after Real Madrid failed to win any of their last three matches, Barcelona took advantage and surged back to the summit with a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

Flick made crucial tactical adjustments to revive Barcelona's title challenge. A poor run of just one win in seven league matches towards the end of 2024 prompted him to introduce Wojciech Szczesny in goal and reinstate Frenkie de Jong in midfield. The squad also benefitted from the winter break, using the time to recover physically from Flick’s high-intensity playing style and to reset mentally.

The changes paid off as Barcelona found their rhythm again, culminating in an emphatic victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. Despite their resurgence, Flick remains focused on continuous improvement, emphasizing the need for consistency in LaLiga, where he believes his team has been operating at only 90-95% of their potential.

Barcelona will be wary of Las Palmas, despite the latter's struggles near the relegation zone. Earlier in the season, the Canary Islanders stunned Barcelona with a 2-1 victory at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, marking the Catalans' first home defeat of the campaign. That loss was part of their mid-season struggles, which had threatened to derail their title bid. Now reinvigorated, Barcelona will seek redemption while keeping an eye on Atletico Madrid, who face Valencia earlier on Saturday.

Meanwhile, defending champions Real Madrid will host Girona on Sunday in a match that could have significant implications for the title race. Elsewhere, Brazilian winger Antony has impressed since joining Real Betis on loan from Manchester United, scoring three goals in four matches. His next test comes against Getafe, as Betis push for European qualification.

Barcelona Aim to Maintain LaLiga Lead as They Face Las Palmas in Crucial Clash

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