Barcelona dropped points for the second game in succession as they deservedly fell to a 2-1 defeat at La Liga’s then bottom side Leganes.
All seemed well for the champions– for whom Lionel Messi was featuring in his 700th game for the Blaugrana – when Philippe Coutinho excellently gave them the lead.
But after a bright beginning they faded in the second half as Mauricio Pellegrino’s men impressed – twice picking off Barca’s defensive errors to level through Nabil El Zhar and then go ahead through Oscar Rodriguez.
Barca predictably pushed but apart from Ivan Cuellar’s mesmeric double save from Coutinho and then Ivan Rakitic, Ernesto Valverde’s side were well beaten.
Here are our player ratings:
BARCELONA (4-3-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6: Blameless amid the second-half madness that unfolded in front of him.
Sergi Roberto – 6: The recalled Spain right-back might have done better to cut out the cross for winger El Zhar’s first, but was otherwise solid. Charged up the touchline and put in five crosses – the game’s highest return.
Gerard Pique – 4: What a horror show from the experienced centre-back. His comically loose clearance critically fell at the feet of grateful midfielder Rodriguez to expertly smash the ball home first time and seal a famous win for the strugglers from Madrid’s outskirts.
Samuel Umtiti – 5: Started last season in imperious form. The same cannot be said of 2018/19. Didn’t do enough for the first.
Thomas Vermaelen – 4: Ruinous injuries have robbed the Belgium reserve of the pace of old. Was left exposed at left-back. His lack of speed meant El Zhar went unchallenged to head home the leveller.
Ivan Rakitic – 6: The Croatia midfielder forced Leganes goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar into some fine saves. His snap shot in the second half was particularly impressively saved.
Sergio Busquets – 7: Helped Barca to a dominant 78-per-cent possession, with his leading 129 touches. Team-mates did not make most of this platform.
Philippe Coutinho – 7: Rasped in a swerving volley on 12 minutes for one of the finest goals of this nascent season. Followed up a Rakitic shot in second half from close range, but Brazil playmaker couldn’t beat Cuellar again.
Lionel Messi – 7: Was kept relatively quiet by Leganes, one incredible shot aside in the opening period that hit the stanchion. Booted up in the air by midfielder Ruben Perez.
Munir El Haddadi – 5: Had no attempts on goal and didn’t make any key passes. Lucky to last an hour. Back-up forward needed to make most of his first Barca start in La Liga since April 2016.
Ousmane Dembele – 6: A quiet night for the France flyer. Made one key pass, one off-target attempt and one inaccurate cross.
2 - @CDLeganes_en are one of the two teams to have won against both Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2018 in all competitions, alongside Espanyol. Cucumber. pic.twitter.com/wk79HlURbj
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 26, 2018
SUBSTITUTES
Luis Suarez – 5: Was brilliant during the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Girona. The same can’t be said of Wednesday’s cameo.
Jordi Alba – 6: Added some pace and drive.
Malcom – 6: Summer signing didn’t light it up.
