Barça is putting pressure on Real Madrid and is already preparing well for its European duel against PSG. At 11 against 10 for more than an hour, the Blaugrana logically dominated Las Palmas on Saturday as part of the 30th day of La Liga thanks to a goal from Raphinha (1-0). They temporarily come back to five lengths behind the leaders Madrid before benefiting from 10 days of rest and going to the Parc des Princes for a quarter-final first leg of the Champions League.
Despite a recent negative dynamic, Las Palmas approached the meeting with boldness and did not hesitate to shake up Barça in great shape recently. This offered a very open first period full of hot situations. Robert Lewandowski was quickly denied a goal (5th), like Raphinha a little later after a contentious action (19th). In the meantime, the Canarian volunteers had tried their luck with former Barcelona player Munir El Haddadi (8th) while taking big risks in defense.
Joao Felix on his way
Their goalkeeper Alvaro Valles blocked a good shot from Lewandowski (16th) but above all made a catastrophic exit far from his area by hitting Raphinha head-on which earned him a logical expulsion (24th). Munir gave up his place and incoming goalkeeper Aaron Escandell saw Lewandowski find his crossbar with his head (35th). At the break, Barça lacked realism and had to settle for a goalless score.
Faced with Palmenses well back in their own half, the partners of the discreet Lamine Yamal started the second half with mastery but had to wait for the entry of Joao Felix in place of the active Fermin Lopez to find the fault (56th ). From his left wing, the Portuguese cut nicely into the center before serving Raphinha with a superb ladle for a cross header into the top corner (1-0, 59th).
Upcoming deadlines at high altitude
The former Rennais has now scored five goals in La Liga this season. Joao Felix, for his part, displayed his technical qualities as during the last big victory at Atlético (0-3). Alone at the far post on a cross from Jules Koundé, he nevertheless found a way to shoot from the crossbar (78th).
After the opening score, Barça did not exert its talent and was content with a short success which was nevertheless worth a lot as Real Madrid hosted Bilbao on Sunday. The Barcelonans will have to take advantage of their rest period because just after the double confrontation against PSG, they will challenge the Madrilenians in a Clasico at the top.