The learning curve for this Barça seems endless. Until now, when Flick's team offered their best version, it was practically impossible for victory to slip away. However, when they were far from their prime, they had dropped points with tremendous ease. Saturday was the latter. In Butarque, it took just 10 minutes to see that this was a trap game, one of those where you can lose leagues if you succumb, but also win them if you emerge victorious. High grass, slow and heavy ball circulation, an opponent lurking in the back with a knife between their teeth, and dangerous counterattacks from a Leganés fighting for survival. Bad omen.
If Barça wanted to have real chances of leaving there with three points, they had to put aside the frills, roll up their sleeves, and get to work. Fortunately, in the culé squad, there are a series of players who go to war without hesitation. They are Flick's soldiers and they are very clear; if they have to die for this Barça, they will. Ideal footballers to rebel against a destiny that seemed written, because as the match progressed, the possibility of stumbling in Madrid's lands became more likely. It already happened in Getafe, where the Barcelona team fell into Bordalás's trap. In Leganés, less than 3 miles (5 km) from the Coliseum, the scenario was exactly the same.
The night got even more complicated when Balde, after a clash with an opponent, didn't get up from the ground. His face said it all; something was not right. He had to leave the field and will miss several vital matches. But, if there were doubts among the fans about whether Gerard Martín could be a reliable full-back for this team, they were dispelled in the following minutes. He may not have the same depth as his teammate, nor excel in any specific facet, but he is secure at the back, joins the attack as expected of a culé full-back, and recovered the ball that ultimately led to the winning goal. In Butarque, Barça lost one full-back but consolidated another.
Strangely enough, in the field of a Leganés that is in the relegation zone, the victory was not achieved from the attack. They had to defend, both with and without the ball. In the first half, to prevent the pepineros from taking the lead, which would have been deadly. In the second, to safeguard the narrow victory, something that was not easy at all. Íñigo Martínez and Raphinha, two men who, under Flick's guidance, are experiencing the best sporting moment of their careers, saved two one-on-ones against Szczęsny at crucial moments of the match. The clear proof that in the most offensive Barça of recent times, defensive work is also vital.
FC Barcelona could have dropped points in Butarque, which would have meant that, at least for a few hours, Real Madrid would have depended on themselves to win this league. But they decided to rebel against the situation; there is too much work behind this team to throw it overboard on a bleak night. When things don't go well, it's time to grit your teeth and fight. The match in Leganés was not just another game, it was clear shortly after the match started, hence the victory was celebrated almost like a title. The champion's rebellion carried out by Barça in the outskirts of Madrid could end up being worth a league.