Barcelona traveled to Almeria just days after losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford, hoping to extend their lead atop the league standings to ten points. With the Catalans' wounds from Europe still fresh, it remained to be seen how they would react to the painful outcome.
Xavi made several changes to his starting lineup on the night, beginning with the defense, with the upcoming Clasico in mind. Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde started on the bench, with Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen assuming central defensive duties.
As full-backs, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto completed the defense. Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, and Franck Kessie formed the midfield, with Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Gavi rounding out the lineup.
The first few minutes of the game were evenly balanced, with both teams sharing possession and creating a flurry of opening half-chances. Despite the large point differential between the two teams, there was little difference in performance.
Almeria took the lead against all odds in the 24th minute, breaking Marc-Andre ter Stegen's La Liga clean sheet record. Luis Suarez's incredible lobbed pass over the Catalan defense to find Toure set up the goal. The striker perfectly timed his run, took on the German goalkeeper, and slammed the ball home.
Until the half-time whistle, Barcelona created barely any chances. It was quite comfortably the Azulgranas’ worst half of the season, and the lack of intent was evident. Seemingly, Xavi’s men were still reeling from the wounds of Old Trafford and far from their frightening best.
Xavi withdrew Franck Kessie for Raphinha at half-time to spark a turnaround. Barcelona began the second half with more hunger and steam, looking more confident in possession. Yet, it was difficult to create concrete chances against Almeria’s comfortable low block.
Raphinha opened up the hosts’ defence with a great cross from the right side at the hour mark. Frenkie de Jong could not make the most of it while Gavi’s eventual volley went wayward.
The manager brought on Araujo and Marcos Alonso for Garcia and Alba in the 67th minute in the hope of regaining defensive stability.
Barcelona's best chance came in the 70th minute, when a cross from Ferran Torres fell at Raphinha's feet. However, the Brazilian was unable to capitalize.
From then on, the visitors pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Xavi's men had up to six players in the Almeria area looking for solutions at times.
Meanwhile, with 15 minutes remaining, Pablo Torre and Angel Alarcon replaced Sergio Busquets and Sergio Roberto.
The visitors upped the ante again after the 80th minute, but to no avail. Fernando Martinez comfortably saved Alarcon's volley after Araujo's headed chance went wide.
Barcelona had chance after chance in the final minutes, with Araujo coming the closest to scoring even in the penultimate minute. At the The best chance for Barcelona came in the 70th minute, when a cross from Ferran Torres fell at Raphinha's feet. The Brazilian, however, was unable to capitalize.
The visitors then pushed forward in search of an equalizer. At times, Xavi's men had up to six players in the Almeria area looking for solutions.
Meanwhile, Pablo Torre and Angel Alarcon came on for Sergio Busquets and Sergio Roberto with 15 minutes remaining.
After the 80th minute, the visitors upped the ante once more, but to no avail. After Araujo's headed chance went wide, Fernando Martinez easily saved Alarcon's volley.
In the final minutes, Barcelona had chance after chance, with Araujo coming the closest to scoring even in the penultimate minute. At.
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