Barcelona struggling with busy schedule, says assistant coach
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Sergio Gonzalez's goal against Barcelona gave Leganes a 1-0 win at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium on Dec 15, the visitors' first away win at Barcelona.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BARCELONA – After a second straight league home defeat, Barcelona’s assistant manager Marcus Sorg attributed the team’s struggles to a demanding schedule that has taken its toll on the players.
Barcelona have been struggling in La Liga for over a month and a 1-0 loss to lowly Leganes on Dec 15 left them with one win in their last six league matches.
They remain top of the standings on 38 points, but level with Atletico Madrid – who they host on Dec 21 – and one point ahead of Real Madrid in third, with both their title rivals having a game in hand.
They are still top thanks to their brilliant start to the season, when they won 14 of their first 16 matches in all competitions. But while they have been excellent in the Champions League with five victories in six games, they have lost their way domestically.
“We have to learn from this experience because the schedule has been tough on the players,” Sorg told Dazn. “We have played a lot of very demanding games in a few days and the team is not used to this.”
He led the team from the sidelines on Dec 15 following coach Hansi Flick’s two-game suspension after being sent off in their 2-2 draw at Real Betis on Dec 7.
Leganes took the lead from a corner after four minutes when captain Sergio Gonzalez rose unmarked at the near post to fire an unstoppable header past goalkeeper Inaki Pena.
Barca immediately went after an equaliser but, despite dominating proceedings throughout the match with over 80 per cent possession, they were clueless as they sought to overcome a disciplined and well-organised five-man Leganes defence, squandering a handful of opportunities.
They failed to hit the target with 16 of their 20 shots in the game and when they did, they hit a wall in Leganes goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, who made three spectacular saves in the first half.
The 32-year-old Serbian custodian made a brilliant reflex save to deny a first-time effort from Robert Lewandowski in the 10th minute after fine individual play by Raphinha down the left. Then, he made a stunning save in the 33rd minute to palm a Raphinha volley against the crossbar and stepped up again a few minutes later to block a Lewandowski effort when the striker was one-on-one.
The hosts’ frustration grew after the break, and they missed several chances with Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha all wasting good opportunities, while Lewandowski and Jules Kounde missed sitters from close range.
In stoppage time, Barcelona won a free kick on the edge of Leganes’ area but Raphinha whipped it over the crossbar to end a thoroughly frustrating night, as Leganes earned a first away win at Barca.
“It is very hard to understand this defeat,” Sorg said. “The first problem was the lack of concentration in the first five minutes of the game when we conceded that first goal.
“Still, we managed to create 20 scoring opportunities despite not playing a good game and we didn’t score... It’s difficult to win like that, when you miss so many chances.
“We are not happy with the current run in the league, but you have to accept things when you try to build a team. We are working hard. We’re at the top and we might lose the lead, but we’re still there.” REUTERS, AFP
