Barcelona took on Las Palmas late on Thursday night in the final game of the first half of the league season. It was an emotional affair, taking on Garcia Pimienta’s side with several former Barcelona stars, but the Catalans had a point to prove on the night.
Barcelona’s first lineup of 2024 did not hold many surprises. Inaki Pena started in goal with Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde in central defence. Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde started in the full-back positions.
Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto started in midfield with Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha playing in the final third.
Xavi’s side got matters underway against the hosts late on Thursday night, maintaining possession and pressing high in numbers. They made the early forays in attack through Raphinha and Cancelo, maintaining the pressure on Las Palmas.
In just the sixth minute, however, star defender Cancelo went down limping after facing a stiff challenge. He returned to the field after brief treatment but soon signalled to be taken off just five minutes later.
Less than a minute after Cancelo made his way off the field, Las Palmas netted a stunning opener at home. Lewandowski’s poor clearance off a corner found its way into the hosts’ possession before the ball eventually fell to Sandro. The ex-Barça star worked the ball to another former Blaugranas, Munir El Haddadi who found the back of the net.
Garcia Pimienta’s men took full advantage of being handed the advantage, almost doubling their lead seconds later. However, Sandro’s poor decision-making cost the hosts.
Soon began a series of attempts from Barcelona to opt for the long ball. Unable to create much threat the traditional way, the Azulgranas began lobbing balls over the Las Palmas defence hoping to break away. The strategy did help them create some openings, but the execution was far from ideal.
Pimienta’s men came close to scoring their second of the night in the 23rd minute once more when Moleiro was set free in the Catalan area but his shot was too weak. Four minutes later arrived Las Palmas’ biggest chance of the half, but Sandro could not convert the 1v1.
Xavi’s side may have had possession but were second best for most of the half. Their only moment of inspiration came through a de Jong-Roberto buildup at the half-hour mark that the captain could not deliver to Ferran.
A flurry of chances arrived the hosts’ way once again after the 40-minute mark, but the score remained 1-0 much to Xavi’s relief. A terrible way to start the new year for Xavi heading into half-time, for his side was still the same dysfunctional unit.
The first big moment of the second period appeared five minutes after the restart through Raphinha’s long-range shot. Minutes later, Roberto’s attempt tested the woodwork.
Ten minutes into the second period, Ferran Torres found the equaliser for Barcelona. His finish came after a long series of failed clearances from Las Palmas fell at his feet, and he had the calibre to put it past Valles.
The Catalans took the initiative in the period that followed, pushing high in numbers and creating good chances. In a span of ten minutes, both De Jong and Torres saw half-decent chances.
Sergi Roberto stood out with his efforts throughout the second half but particularly after the hour mark. Chances arrived consistently, but Barcelona lacked the finishing touch to take the lead.
Joao Felix and Lamine Yamal came on for Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the 70th minute. Five minutes later, Fermin Lopez and Vitor Roque came on for Ferran Torres and Sergi Roberto.
Just two minutes into his debut, Tigrinho almost capitalised on a loose pass from Valles and was unlucky to miss out on his first goal.
The Catalans’ strategy of looking for the long-continued and the team created good chances as a result. Las Palmas’ resilient defence, however, made it difficult for the visitors.
Joao Felix’s cross in the 85th minute forced a save from Valles as Barcelona pushed for their latest late winner.
Las Palmas pushed forward with intent in the closing minutes of the game, giving Araujo and Co a fair share of headaches. The Catalans, however, kept their cool and did not make many errors.
The Estadio Gran Canaria erupted in the 90th minute of the night when Las Palmas not only saw a red card but gifted Barcelona a penalty. Sinkgraven’s push on Ilkay Gundogan denied the German a clear chance to score off Felix’s cross, giving Xavi’s men a direct chance to take three points.
The former Manchester City star kept his cool stepping up for the penalty, sending Valles the wrong way and gifting Barcelona a special New Year win.
Vitor Roque had a great chance to score on his debut late on but put his effort wide as the game ended 2-1 in favour of Barça.
With this win, Barcelona cut the deficit with Real Madrid and Girona to just seven points after yet another late win. The result may not have been pretty, but the second-half display from Barcelona was worthy of three points.
