Barcelona unexpectedly suffered a 1-2 defeat by promoted team Cadiz in Week 12 of the Spanish League at Estadio Ramon de Carranza, Sunday (6/12).
Cadiz was already winning 1-0 when the game had only been running for eight minutes. Oscar Mingueza’s mistake when trying to throw the ball was put to good use by Alvaro Gimenez.
Gimenez, who was no longer guarded, easily shook the Barcelona goal that was guarded by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona did not remain silent after their goal was broken into by the host. The Catalan team responded by creating several opportunities for Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Jordi Alba but were unable to break Cadiz’s goal.
Towards the end of the first half, Barcelona created opportunities through a corner kick. Messi aimed the ball straight into the net which Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma struggled to keep away.
Barcelona’s attempt to equalize paid off in the 58th minute. Jordi Alba’s pass took a turn after hitting substitute Pedro Alcala and into Cadiz’s goal to make it 1-1.
However, the score at 1-1 did not last long. Clement Lenglet and Ter Stegen’s coordination error when receiving the ball into Jordi Alba actually made Alvaro Negredo easily break into Barcelona’s goal.
Behind 1-2, Barcelona are increasingly applying pressure. Lots of chances for the visitors but were countered by Ledesma who played brilliantly between the sticks.
The 2-1 score for Cadiz’s victory did not change until the second half ended. This defeat left Barcelona stuck in seventh position, 12 points adrift of Atletico Madrid who are at the top of the Spanish League standings.
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman did not accept that his team lost 1-2 to Cadiz in the Spanish League because of mistake.
One thing that Ronald Koeman highlighted the most from the bad results was the way Lionel Messi and his friends failed to score points. Barcelona lost to Cadiz because of two blunders from their defense.
“The defeat is difficult to explain. We came from a good game. The first half was not good, and in the second half we were better, but amazingly, we lost because of an unexpected mistake from our team,” Koeman said as quoted by Marca.
“You can not adjust. Goals in that way. This is because you are not focused. Our attitude was not good tonight. Not only from the defenders,” said Koeman added.
Cadiz’s first goal came as Oscar Mingueza’s header almost became an own goal. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s header was pushed over by Mungueza, but Alvaro Gimenez grabbed the ball.
Meanwhile, defender Clement Lenglet’s second goal failed to anticipate the throw into Jordi Alba. The ball was immediately taken by Alvaro Negredo who outwitted Ter Stegen and then scored.
“It is very difficult to explain some of the goals we conceded. I think it might be due to lack of concentration. We were less aggressive without the ball. It might be a matter of conceding. It is not easy to explain how we conceded the second goal,” said Koeman.
Koeman could not hide his frustration after Barcelona’s defeat. The Dutchman called the poor result a big step back for the Catalan club because it could jeopardize their chances of winning the title.
“It’s disappointing, but we have to accept it. There is a lot of distance for a team as strong as Atletico Madrid,” said Koeman.
“There are still a lot of games to play, but if we don’t improve our attitude and go up and down in away games, we have nothing to say,” Koeman continued.
