UD Las Palmas 0-2 FC Barcelona: Dani Olmo leads the 'revenge' of the super leader

FC Barcelona remains the super leader of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25. The azulgrana team visited the Gran Canaria Stadium to face UD Las Palmas, and in a total display of hierarchy and champion character, they achieved a victory that wins titles (0-2). The triumph allows the azulgranas to maintain their lead for another matchday (54), surpassing Atlético de Madrid (53) and waiting for a 'slip' from Real Madrid (51) in their match against Girona.

The team led by Hansi Flick faced a true test of fire against the squad managed by Diego Martínez, delivering a show of authority against a rival that had already 'rained on the parade' of the azulgranas in Montjuïc this season. However, the culé team got their revenge and added three crucial points that bring them closer to their 28th League title.

A 'stuck' first half for Barça

The Barça came out with 'knives between their teeth' onto the field, aware of the importance of securing three points to stay at the top of the championship. However, the 'wall' of the canaries was impenetrable for the culés, who could not generate overly dangerous chances despite their insistence in the final third.

Led by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who were two daggers on the wings, the azulgranas dominated their rival with authority in the opening minutes. In fact, Fermín López had a very clear opportunity on goal in the 3rd minute, but he erred on the side of generosity, and his attempt to assist Robert Lewandowski was intercepted by the 'pío pío' defense.

The offensive trident of Hansi Flick tried to break the deadlock, but without much success, and the team began to fade against a canary defense that closed off as much space as possible. On the other side, Szczesny, who had a 'calm' first half, was threatened by a couple of dangerous shots from Moleiro and Sandro, although they were insufficient to give the locals an advantage, and both teams went to the locker rooms with everything to define in the second half.

Flick's changes gave Barça three 'golden' points

Upon returning from the break, Hansi Flick 'shook the tree' to find solutions to the maze that the Barça was navigating on the Gran Canaria Stadium pitch, and his gamble could not have paid off better. The German brought on Dani Olmo to replace Fermín López, and the Egarense would be the one to 'unlock' the previously complicated match for the Catalans.

In the 62nd minute, Lamine made a spectacular individual play to enter the locals' area, and once he landed in the danger zone, he assisted the '20' azulgrana, who shook off his marker with a great cut and then sent a brutal left-footed shot into the back of Cillessen's net.

From that moment on, the match broke in favor of the azulgranas, who could have increased their lead with a header from 'Lewy' that lacked a bit of power to beat the Dutch goalkeeper and a very clear chance from Yamal, who arrived forced to a good 'venomous' low cross from Raphinha and could not break his drought in LaLiga.

The VAR, which omitted an unbelievable penalty for the culés due to a pull on the '11' Brazilian in the area, tried to make its presence felt for an alleged handball by Eric García, but the ball had previously touched the back of Álex Muñoz, who was offside, and the sanction was invalidated. The canaries pressed in the final minutes but could do little against a Barça that sealed their victory with a goal from Ferran Torres, who also came off the bench, when the match was dying down and secured three points that keep them at the top of the standings.

Barça maintains the lead for another matchday

After the victory of Atlético de Madrid in Valencia (0-3), a win was non-negotiable for Barça in their fight for the lead in LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25. The colchoneros broke their bad streak in LaLiga thanks to a brace from Julian Álvarez and another goal from Ángel Correa, temporarily taking the top spot in the standings, as their match was played two and a half hours before that of the Catalans.

Knowing this result, the culés (54) once again capitalized on their excellent form to regain the lead. The azulgranas are going through a sweet moment and have strung together a remarkable run of results since the start of the year, remaining unbeaten and accumulating 19 points out of 21 with 6 victories and 1 draw, surpassing the rojiblancos (53) at the top of the table while waiting for Real Madrid's match (51), who occupy third place before facing Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday.

In this way, Barça strikes again and remains firm on the 'throne' of the local competition. The team led by Hansi Flick continues to be 'unstoppable' in 2025 and, in addition to not knowing defeat, it feels like, as of today, there is no rival that can stop them, as was demonstrated this Saturday in Las Palmas, where they took a key step towards their twenty-eighth title of LaLiga.

Technical sheet of the match:    

• UD Las Palmas, 0: Cillessen; Viti (Pezzolesi, min. 85), Álex Suárez, McKenna, Mika Mármol; Javi Muñoz, Essugo (Campaña, min. 67), Bajcetic (Ramírez, min. 86), Moleiro (Fuster, min. 67); Sandro, McBurnie (Mata, min. 66).
• FC Barcelona, 2: Szczesny (P); Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Balde; Marc Casadó, Pedri (Frenkie de Jong, min. 85), Fermín López (Dani Olmo, min. 46); Lamine Yamal (Ferran Torres, min. 85), Raphinha (Gerard Martín, min. 90+8), Lewandowski.
• Goals: 0-1 Dani Olmo (min. 62); 0-2 Ferran Torres (min. 90+6).
• Referee: Del Cerro Grande. He cautioned the Gran Canarian Suárez and the culé De Jong.