LaLiga 2018/19, Barcelona 3-1 Leganes: 5 Talking Points

Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Leganes at the Camp Nou.

Atletico Madrid won their game against Huesca on Saturday, which cut Barca's lead at the top to two points. But the Catalans responded. Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring for them when he was cool enough to finish from Jordi Alba's low cross.

Martin Braithwaite made it 1-1 against the run of play in the second half, finishing from close range.

This was not in the script, and Barcelona took time to respond. But respond they did, and Luis Suarez restored their lead.

It was a controversial goal, and he looked to have fouled the goalkeeper when he went for the rebound. But the goal was given, and Barcelona had their lead back.

Lionel Messi wrapped up the game late on, combining with Alba to fire a right-footed shot into the roof of the net. Another game, another three points.

This was their seventh straight LaLiga victory. Barcelona extended their lead to five points, and Leganes dropped to 14th place.

It was a happening game, and Barcelona were scared for some time, but they got there in the end. Here are the major talking points from the game.

Also See : Durand Cup, Durand Cup Schedule, Calcutta Football League

#5 Lionel Messi makes the difference off the bench

Barcelona were shocked by Leganes' equaliser, which came out of nowhere. Then Dembele, their best player so far, went off injured. They were in a pickle, but Lionel Messi came to the rescue, yet again.

He was rested with the midweek clash against Sevilla in mind, but he was not on the bench for long.

When on the pitch, the Argentine made an instant impact. Ivan Cuellar could only parry his powerful shot, and Luis Suarez pounced on the rebound to restore Barca's lead. Then Messi combined with Jordi Alba to wrap up the game in the dying minutes.

Messi and Suarez have scored 33 goals together in the league, which is more than any other team's total. Yeah, that has happened. Messi's introduction sparked both of them today, which ultimately gave the three points to Barcelona.

#4 Dembele runs the show for Barcelona

Messi started the game on the bench, and it was up to someone else to pick up the attacking baton for Barcelona. Ousmane Dembele stepped up and provided the spark going forward.

He scored the goal in the first half, netting from a precise sidefoot finish into the bottom corner. That goal followed the blueprint of one which Messi scores so often. Dribble, pass wide to Alba, get it back, clinical finish.

Aside from the goal, Dembele attempted a ridiculous 15 dribbles, completing 11 of them. The Frenchman also created two chances on the night.

Ernesto Valverde must be delighted with Dembele's performance and relieved about the fact that someone can come in to take the weight off Messi's shoulders. It's been a long time, but Dembele is finally looking to be the real deal for Barcelona.

#3 Dembele hobbles off injured to Barca's disappointment

Things were looking so good for Dembele and Barcelona, but fate had something else in store.

He slipped accidentally in the second half, injuring himself in the process. Valverde immediately took him off for Malcolm as a precautionary step, bringing an end to Dembele's night.

The Frenchman has been brilliant in recent weeks, and throughout the season as well. He has recorded eight goals and three assists in 12 league starts and was enjoying his best time at the club so far.

The Champions League will come knocking in a couple of weeks, and Dembele must have eyed making an impact on that stage as well.

It looked as though Dembele injured his knee, but the extent is unknown at this juncture. Coutinho will be ready to fill in if needed, but Dembele could play every match like he did today, there's no competition.

#2 Despite the goal, Leganes offer precious little in attack

Pellegrino's side was blunt in the final third

Leganes have scored 17 league goals in 20 games, which is the worst in the league. Only Huesca and Valladolid have scored so few. A similar story unfolded at the Camp Nou for Mauricio Pellegrino's side.

Throughout the match, Leganes had just 28% possession. They took just five shots throughout the game, out of which only two came in the box.

The other three were speculative efforts from some way out. In the final third they completed just 76 passes, compared to 243 from Barcelona. The likes of Martin Braithwaite and Oscar had precious little to work with.

To their credit, Leganes did score from their one big chance. The problem is, they did not create anything else apart from that.

Normally their strong defence makes up for the weak attack, but that's easier said than done against Barcelona.

#1 Promising league debut for Carles Alena

Valverde opted to rest Ivan Rakitic, giving young Carles Alena the start. Alena is the best product to emerge from La Masia in quite a few years, and the early signs are promising. The Spaniard impressed in his LaLiga debut, even if it was not perfect.

Alena completed all of his five dribbles in the game and created two chances as well. He likes to run with the ball, and this trait of his was evident.

He played much higher compared to fellow midfielders Busquets and Arthur, almost as a No.10. At times he was sloppy in possession and defensively caught out, but those should recede in due time.

As the schedule gets busier, the opportunities will increase for Alena. The ability is there, and he can follow in the footsteps of other La Masia graduates over the years.

Edited by Alan John