The match: 0-1
K.-O. by Frankfurt last Thursday (2-3), Barça had the opportunity to regain their senses against Cadiz, 18th in La Liga, this Monday evening. But the elimination in the quarter-finals of the Europa League left its mark. Still stunned, the Blaugranas were surprised by their opponent on the return from the locker room (0-1) and did not take advantage of Sevilla’s setback to secure their second place in the Championship. On the strength of its feat, Cadiz comes out of the red zone and climbs to 16th place.
Xavi’s men have largely mastered the game (75% possession, 18 shots to 6). But these figures say nothing of the lack of inspiration they showed in the last thirty meters. Apart from a shot from Ousmane Dembélé (39th), Jeremias Ledesma was not worried. On the other side, Cadiz had offered themselves the best opportunity on the counter-attack but Lucas Perez had missed the target (27th).
The center forward set the sights early in the second period. After a save from Marc-André Ter Stegen, he cooled the Camp Nou at close range (48th). Not varnished on this one, the German did the work to maintain the hope of a return by leaving several decisive parades in the face of opposing transitions. But his counterpart always answered him. Ledesma made sure to extinguish the Catalan revolt attempts. The goalkeeper repelled two attempts from Dembélé (67th and 68th) then a header from Luuk de Jong (78th).
15
The surprise setback ends a 15-game unbeaten streak in La Liga. Barça had not lost in the Championship since December 4 and a defeat against Betis (0-1). Everything remains to be done to secure second place.
The player: flawless Ledesma
Not always academic in his interventions, the doorman of Cadiz is for a lot in the exploit of his team. Little in demand in the first period, he warmed up and made five saves after the break. With in particular this decisive reflex on the volley of Aubameyang. He was also invaluable in the air when Barça laid siege to his box.
The fact: Dembélé, the only detonator
In a collective apathetic and without ideas, the Frenchman was the only one capable of creating differences with the ball at his feet. In great shape for two months, the winger continued his momentum on Monday evening. On the right, on the left or from the axis, Dembélé has multiplied the taking of dangerous initiatives. Unfortunately, he stumbled on Ledesma or lacked precision in the finish. But, without him, the Blaugrana’s offensive production would have been starved.