Las Palmas - Barcelona summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2023-24
Las Palmas - Barcelona live: Gündogan penalty wins it for Barça
Full time: Las Palmas 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona, to be frank, were awful in the first half and deservedly trailed at the break. Their frequent attempts to break the Las Palmas offside trap led to nothing, and the hosts’ attacks were more incisive.
Former Barça duo Sandro and Munir combinedto break the deadlock early on and Xavi’s side rarely threatened an equaliser, despite having plenty of space to run into in the final third. In fact, the home team could quite easily have added a second, with Sandro fizzing one effort wide and another against the outside of the post.
Whatever Xavi said at half time, however, had the desired effect. Barcelona moved the ball with much more purpose and pace, pinning their opponents back inside their own half.
But they needed a helping hand to get back into the game, with a poor clearance from Coco allowing Roberto to tee up Ferran to guide in an equaliser.
Las Palmas persisted with their high defensive line, which initially looked set to be their downfall until they briefly found a second wind late on.
But Barça’s pressure eventually paid off in dramatic fashion. Despite Vitor Roque’s introduction, it was Gündogan who was the hero from the penalty spot after he himself had been denied a certain goal by Sinkgraven, who was sent off for pushing the German as he was about to head the ball into the net.
What next for Barcelona?
Next up for Barcelona is a Copa del Rey round-of-32 tie away to Spanish four-tier club Barbastro on Sunday (7 January). What kind of team will Xavi put out in that one, I wonder?
Barça don't return to LaLiga action until 21 January, when they will face Real Betis. That's because they'll be off at the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia (where else?), with their semi-final against Osasuna on 11 January and a potential final (against either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid) on 14 January.
We'll have coverage of that competition right here on AS USA.
Barcelona LaLiga's top points scorers in last 15 minutes
The important of going until the bitter end. We tend to associate it with Real Madrid, but Barcelona have got it in their locker too. They're going to need all the help they can get this season.
Barcelona seven points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and Girona
Seven points off the top still sounds like quite a lot, but it's significantly less (three points to be precise) than 10...
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | 48 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | 41 | 19 | 12 | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | 38 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| 5 | 38 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 5 |
Barcelona kick off 2024 with crucial victory
I said before the game Barcelona were under pressure going into the game and it wasn't looking good for most of it. But they've got the job done, which could prove crucial if they can somehow manage to go on a run from here.
Full time: Las Palmas 1-2 Barcelona
Ilkay Gündogan's injury-time penalty wins it for Barcelona, who were much better in the second half.
What a miss from Roque!
How has he not scored there?! Félix laid it on a plate for the Brazilian, who controlled and skewed it wide!
Vitor Roque is VERY lucky not to be booked for careering into Mármol.
We're back underway. What have you got, Las Palmas?
In the midst of all that, four minutes of added time were indicated. There should be a little bit more now.
Gündogan to take...
What drama!
Félix's shot was saved by Valles but spun up into the path of Gündogan, who would've nodded into the net had he not been pushed.
Sinkgraven is off, that would've been a certain goal!
Sub Sinkgraven pushes Gündogan in the back as he's about to head the ball into the empty net!
PENALTY FOR BARCELONA!
In the last mintute!
Las Palmas do just enough to get it away, but it's coming back!
Balde does get away down the left this time and wins a corner.
Sergi Cardona is next in the book after clattering into Araújo on the edge of the Barça box.
The clearest yellow card you've ever seen for Perrone for hauling back de Jong as he broke forward.
Barça are constantly flirting with beating the Las Palmas offside trap and being trumped by it. Balde is the next offender, caught offside when he looked to be in a good position.
That could've gone anywhere! Félix fizzes the ball low across goal and Mármol is hugely relieved to see the ball skip up off his foot and over, rather than into his own net.
A CRUCIAL interception from Mármol as Roque is nearly sent clean through on goal!
Roque again looking to get in behind, with Valles again coming off his line to save the day.
That looked as if it was going to be a certain goal for Barça! Félix brings the ball down expertly and opts to give Roque a tap-in rather than shoot, only to be denied by both Coco's interception and the offside flag.
Almost an immediate impact from Roque! The Brazilian chases down a short backpass but doesn't get the break of the ball with Valles, who is lucky to collect!
Vitor Roque makes Barcelona debut
What a chance to become an instant hero!
Roque and Fermín replace Ferran and Roberto.
Las Palmas have woken up! Marc Cardona spins and shoots from inside the box...over!
What a chance for Mármol!
From the corner, Mármol gets his head on it a few yards from goal but nods the ball just wide! What a chance!
Are Las Palmas getting a little bit a second wind? Maybe a breeze?
A few passes are interchanged in the Barça half and Marc Cardona's strike from range deflects just wide.
A rare venture forward for the hosts, with Muñoz playing a fine pass over to Sergi Cardona. He tries to take the ball past Koundé, who ends up blocking a fairly hopeful shot.
Yamal almost immediately gets on the end of a ball over the top, which carries through to Valles (like almost every one in the first half).
Las Palmas are really toiling. They can't keep the ball for more than a couple of passes.
Not too long ago, taking Lewandowski off while chasing a goal would've been madness. But the veteran striker hasn't been at the races in this one.
João Félix and Yamal on for Lewandowski and Raphinha.
A Barcelona goal feels as if it's coming...
Las Palmas are playing with fire! They five the ball away in their own half and Gündogan is only denied by a last-ditch block, which sends the ball spinning out for a corner.
Loiodice and Pejiño replace Sandro and Moleiro for the home side.
For a second there it looked as if Lewandowski was either going to pull the trigger or play Gündogan clean through. In the end, he did neither, and was dispossessed inside the box. The Pole has been out of sorts, not for the first time recently.
Balde again gets in behind and heads across goal, with a clearance falling to Raphinha, who lashes well over.
Barça are cranking up the pressure here. Balde does brilliantly down the left, skipping away from Sandro and into the box before firing a low cutback into the box. The hosts do just enough to get it away.
Ferran has to do better there! Barça spring the offside trap again and the winger tries to pick out Lewandowski in the middle but gets his ball across goal wrong, allowing Sergi Cardona to clear.
Valles saved from de Jong!
Barça are getting more joy down their right now. Gündogan gets to the goal line and chips the ball back for de Jong, whose first-time volley bobbles into the ground and into the palms of Valles.
Goalscorer Munir replaced
The bad news keeps coming for the hosts: Munir can't continue. The Las Palmas goalscorer is replaced by Cardona.
Suárez is the first Las Palmas player in the book after slipping and taking out Lewandowski.
A mess from a Las Palmas point of view. Coco's attempted clearance smashes off Lewandowski, Roberto touches it down for Ferran, whose low strike isn't quite in the corner but has enough on it to beat Valles. We're all square!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL BARCELONA! FERRAN TORRES
I was just writing that Barcelona had started to do a bit better...
Valles makes a miraculous - and somewhat unorthodox - stop with his feet to divert Raphinha's fierce strike onto the post, but the offside flag also goes up against the Brazilian after the event.
Kirian threads a nice ball through for Munir, who gets a powerful shot in from a tight angle that forces Peña into action. Although the offside flag had gone up...
Raphinha shoots over!
A rare effort on goal from Barcelona! Raphinha is set away down the right, cuts inside and shoots over from the edge of the box!
Munir drifts out to the right and spots the run infield of Moleiro, but he overhits the pass and Peña collects gratefully.
The corner comes in and for a second it looks as if Suárez might stick the ball into his own net. Valles is alert to the danger and throws his cap on it.
Much better from Araújo this time though! He perfectly picks out the run of Balde, who would've had a clear sight of goal if his touch had been better. It wasn't, though, and Las Palmas escape with the concession of a corner.
Araújo starts the second period as he did the first, his high ball up to Lewandowski nowhere near his intended target.
Back underway in Las Palmas!
The hosts kick off the second half!
A little delay as one of the nets seems to have become detached from the frame of one of the goals.
No changes at half time
No changes for either side at half time.
A stoney-faced Xavi takes up his place on the Barcelona bench...
The players are making their way back onto the field, the second half is almost ready to go!
Vitor Roque looming large on Barcelona touchline
Many, including Xavi himself, have warned against viewing Vitor Roque as the man to turn Barcelona's form around. But he might have to try and do just that sooner than he would've imagined. The first 10-15 minutes of the second period will likely determine when we see the Brazilian, who will surely come on at some point.
Barcelona's struggles after going behind in LaLiga
Let's hope Xavi Hernández, who'll be angry enough as it is, isn't reading OptaJose's Twitter/X feed. When they've conceded first in recent away games, they've not been able to turn the ship back around.
Half time: Las Palmas 1-0 Barcelona
Xavi Hernández has been hugely critical of his team’s performances in a number of games this season, and he won’t be enamoured with that first half.
Barcelona have barely created anything of note and have instead been baited into trying to break the Las Palmas offside trap. The hosts are playing a dangerous game, but it’s worked so far, although Sergi Roberto may feel he should’ve done better after well-timed run from deep.
The best of the chances have come at the other end, with Las Palmas timing their ventures forward well. Sandro’s perfect right-wing cross set up Munir for an early opener, while Sandro himself has twice gone close to finding the net against his former club.
Some serious work for Barça to do in the second period.
Former Barça men combine for Las Palmas
I said before the game that Munir and Sandro might both feel they have a point to prove against their former club. Well, the latter teed up the former for the only goal of that first half, and both have looked lively so far.
Half time: Las Palmas 1-0 Barcelona
Let's just say Barcelona have been poor...
Almost a chance for Balde as Las Palmas make a mess of clearing a free kick into the box. The defender's shot from inside the box is charged down.
Wow. Super risky again from Las Palmas, who attempt to play the ball out from the back under serious pressure. But they pull it off and it looks fantastic, until Kirian slices the ball out of play.
Four extra minutes to be played, mainly because of that injury to Cancelo.
Gündogan's delivery, however, leads to nothing and Las Palmas are looking good for a half-time lead!
Sergi Roberto is occasionally finding space down the sides of the Las Palmas defence and wins a corner.
Raphinha is slowly everything right down for Barcelona, which I'd argue is the opposite of what they need right now.
Sandro shoots just wide!
From the corner, Sandro finds for a shot from a tight angle and whizzes one just past the far post!
What happened there?? Las Palmas break the offside trap this time, with Kirian picking out the run of Munir. The attacker takes a strangely heavy touch and also seems to slow up for some reason, allowing Araújo time to get back and block.
A lovely piece of skill from Sandro down by the touchline sends Raphinha for a hot dog. See ya.
Munir celebrates against Barcelona
He was apologetic too, honest. Just not in this clip. What a moment for the former Barça attacker!
Groundhog day. Christensen plays the ball over the top, Roberto makes a run for it, Valles gets it.
There's been very little from Raphinha and Ferran so far. The Brazilian is next to try to beat the offside trap but loses possession and is flagged offside anyway.
Sergi Roberto squanders big chance
Barcelona are going to score if Las Palmas keep defending like this. Sergi Roberto does get on the end of a through ball and goes clean through on goal, but opts to pass to Lewandowski rather than shoot, only for the ball to be cut out.
At the other end, a superb defensive header from Coco stops both Gündogan and Lewandowski from getting on the end of a dangerous cross at the back post.
Almost a second for Las Palmas!
Muñoz stings the palms of Peña from range and Sandro's follow-up deflects wide off the outside of the post!
Las Palmas are playing a risky game here...
Lewandowski times his run well and Valles again has to race out of his box to clear the danger. They only need to get it right/wrong once...
Was that Jules Koundé or Zinedine Zidane? I'm not sure what the Barça defender is doing on the edge of the Las Palmas box but he shows some fancy footwork to get into the area, only to spoil it by committing a foul at the crucial moment.
Peña saves from Sandro!
Brilliant link-up from Moleiro and Sandro down the left ends with the latter shooting low from a tight angle. Peña touches it round the post (and the corner is cleared).
Las Palmas are playing a very high line, at times, and Araújo floats one over the top of their defence, with de Jong looking to get on the end of it. Valles again has to race from his line to head clear.
Roberto and Xavi both shown yellow cards
Sergi Roberto is first in the book for complaining about being pulled back by Mármol, which he was. That's harsh,
Oh, Xavi sees yellow too...
Much better from the visitors, as Gündogan tries to play Ferran clean through. The attacker gets a run on the Las Palmas defence but the pass is just too heavy and Valles can clear.
Some decent possession for Barcelona but they're lacking a cutting edge, especially out on the right flank.
Another effort on goal from Las Palmas but this one from Sandro flies high into the Canary night sky.
Almost an immediate reply from Barça! Balde gets away down the left and has Ferran free in the middle, but his low cross doesn't quite reach the forward.
Christensen on for Cancelo
Just to confirm that change: Christensen replaced Cancelo seconds before the goal.
Munir was very apologetic after scoring against his former club....
Christensen comes on for Cancelo, but before he's even had a chance to get set, his team is behind. And obviously it's former Barça man Sandro who slides a lovely cross in for former Barça man Munir to nudge the ball beyond Peña!
Having seen a few replays, it looks like Cancelo's knee jammed when he and Perrone tried to kick the ball at pretty much the same time.
Aaaand Cancelo's down again (not that daft after all)...
Cancelo is back on (making me look daft), by the way.
The first threat from Las Palmas! Cardona gets in behind and cuts the ball back for Moleiro, who twists and turns and eventually tees up Muñoz, whose shot is well blocked.
Actually...let's hang fire a second. He's gone off for treatment. Both he and Perrone to kick the ball (very hard) at the same time. The Portuguese definitely came off worse.
Cancelo down! He's going off. Happy New Year...
Cancelo is hobbling a bit, let's see if he can carry on.
Cancelo makes a run inside Raphinha and into the box, where he's involved a full-blooded challenge with Perrone, who wins the 50-50. Just as well, as he wasn't holding back.
Koundé got lucky there! He gifts the ball to Muñoz inside the Barça half but Sandro can't do anything with his teammates lofted pass into the box.
A very, very nice move from Barça looks promising but ultimately ends at the feet of Raphinha, who slows it down and allows Las Palmas the chance to regroup.
Not a great start from Ronald Araújo, who whips out the lob wedge and sticks the ball straight out of play.
Underway in Las Palmas!
Barcelona, wearing light blue, get the ball rolling!
The pre-match formalities are currently taking place. Who've you got for this one? I have a suspicion Las Palmas might get something (cue a 5-0 win for Barça).
Barcelona start the game 10 behind leaders Real Madrid
We're moments away from kick-off, so here's a little reminder of what's at stake. Barcelona start the game 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid (and Girona) and are now down in fifth spot after Athletic's win at Sevilla earlier on Thursday. Ouch!
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 38 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | 38 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | 38 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| 6 | 32 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| 7 | 28 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
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You may have noticed a few big-name omissions from that Barcelona line-up, including Pedri. Here's the latest on the former Las Palmas midfielder's availability, as well as Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and more.
Barcelona team to play Las Palmas: Vitor Roque on the bench
Peña; Cancelo, Koundé, Araújo, Balde; Roberto, De Jong, Gündogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres.
- goalkeeper
- 13Iñaki Peña
- defenders
- 23Koundé
- 4Ronald Araújo
- 3Alex Balde
- 2Cancelo
- midfielders
- 22Gündogan
- 20Sergi Roberto
- 21Frenkie De Jong
- forwards
- 7Ferrán Torres
- 9Lewandowski
- 11Raphinha
- substitutes
- CoachXavier Hernández Creuss
- 14João Félix
- 39Hector Fort
- 31Diego Kochen
- 26Ander Astralaga
- 32Fermín López
- 19Vitor Roque
- 18Oriol Romeu
- 27Lamine Yamal
- 33Pau Cubarsí
- 15A. Christensen
Las Palmas team to play Barcelona
Valles; Suárez, Coco, Mármol, Cardona; Kirian, Muñoz, Perrone, Moleiro, Munir; Sandro.
- goalkeeper
- 13Álvaro Vallés
- defenders
- 23Saul Coco
- 15Mika Mármol
- 4Álex Suárez
- 3Sergi Cardona
- midfielders
- 5Javi Muñoz
- 8Maximo Perrone
- 20Kirian Rodríguez
- forwards
- 10Alberto Moleiro
- 17Munir
- 9Sandro
- substitutes
- CoachFrancisco Javier García Pimientas
- 1Escandell
- 24Pejiño
- 7Cristian Herrera
- 18Daley Sinkgraven
- 2Marvin Olawale Akinlabi Park
- 35Alex González
- 19Marc Cardona
- 12Enzo Loiodice
- 31Juan Herzog
- 16Sory Kaba
- 22O. Mfulu
- 29Iñaki González
Barcelona: last five games
December, 2023: Barcelona 3-2 Almeria (LaLiga)
December, 2023: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona (LaLiga)
December, 2023: Antwerp 3-2 Barcelona (Champions League)
December, 2023: Barcelona 2-4 Girona (LaLiga)
December, 2023: Barcelona 1-0 Atlético Madrid (LaLiga)
*Barça also lost 3-2 to Liga MX Club América in a friendly in Dallas just before Christmas
Las Palmas: last five games
December, 2023: Athletic 1-0 Las Palmas (LaLiga)
December, 2023: Las Palmas 1-1 Cadiz (LaLiga)
December, 2023: Alaves 0-1 Las Palmas (LaLiga)
December, 2023: Tudelano 1-2 Las Palmas (Copa del Rey)
December, 2023: Las Palmas 2-0 Getafe (LaLiga)
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15 minutes to go until kick-off! Just the perfect amount of time for you to read what Xavi had to say before today's game against Las Palmas. The Barça head coach spoke about Vitor Roque (obviously), Barcelona's intensity, Lewandowski, injuries, criticising the players and his wishes for 2024.
Barcelona in 2023-24: the season so far
Barcelona began the season with six wins from seven games, a run which included back-to-back 5-0 thrashings of Real Betis, in LaLiga, and Antwerp, in the Champions League.
They extended their unbeaten start to 13 matches in all competitions but were dealt a hammer blow in El Clásico, losing at home to Real Madrid having seemingly been in total control. Incredibly, they haven't won a game by more than a one-goal margin since 19 September, while dropped points at Rayo Vallecano and Valencia and a defeat at home to Girona have left them 10 points behind the top two.
Xavi has been fiercely critical of his players, even after victories, on a number of occasions, with precious little reaction.
Las Palmas in 2023-24: the season so far
I don't know whether I should say this or not, but maybe it'll be the opposite of the live blogger's curse, so here goes.
Las Palmas haven't scored a lot of goals this season, and they haven't conceded many either. They've found the net 15 times in 18 games, only Cádiz scoreing fewer. Only the flip side, they've only let in 15, six fewer than Barça and second only to Real Madrid.
As I said a little earlier, they've lost only one of eight LaLiga home games and they've generally been a tough nut to crack. This won't be easy for Barça, far from it.
Las Palmas - Barcelona: 30 minutes until kick off!
There about half an hour to go until kick off and Barça are out to warm up! Goalkeeper Iñaki Peña doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry, he must be warm enough already. It is the Canary Islands after all.
Las Palmas manager García Pimienta's strong Barcelona links
Xavi and his counterpart García Pimienta are no strangers. The Las Palmas boss has spent most of his career in soccer at Barcelona, playing for the club as a youngster between 1986 and 1997. He even made one LaLiga appearance in May 1996. He then returned as youth team coach in 2006 and worked his way up to the position of B team coach in 2018. After three years, he left to take up his first senior coaching position with Las Palmas in January 2022.
Vitor Roque: Barcelona's late Christmas present
If it's good enough for Barcelona, it's good enough for me!
Fancy a bit of pre-match reading on their new boy? Here's what he said about joining the Catalan giants, as well as some numbers on how much the deal to take him to Spain cost Barça, who aren't exactly flush at the moment.
Oh, and if you want to see a video of a tiger on the prowl around Montjuïc (why wouldn't you?), you're also in luck. Vitor Roque is nicknamed "Tigrinho" ("Little Tiger"), after all.
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Barcelona go mad for Vitor Roque
There's been a lot of Vitor Roque content on Barcelona's social media channels ever since the Brazilian youngster joined up with the club before New Year. Some are worried a relatively unproven 18-year-old is being touted as some kind of saviour after a few bad performances, while others genuinely believe he will be the next Romário or Ronaldo (Brazilian one).
Which one will it be? Time will tell, but it should be fun finding out.
Barcelona arrive at Estadio Gran Canaria
Just as well, they've got a game to play in under an hour! They're a chatty bunch, aren't they?
Gavi out until 2024-25 after ACL tear
Xavi Hernández's midfield has been decimated for much of the season, but while Pedri will be back in action soon enough, the same can't be said of Gavi, who won't play again until next season. The youngster tore his ACL during while playing for Spain in a Euro 2024 qualifier in November and doesn't look likely to be ready for the tournament itself in Germany in June and July.
Iñaki Peña starts in goal for Barcelona with ter Stegen still out
As well as Pedri, Barcelona are also without first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who underwent back surgery in early December. The club haven’t confirmed how long the German will be unavailable for, although it was initially suggested he would be set for around two months on the sidelines. Back-up Iñaki Peña, who played the last seven games of 2023, will continue to deputise.
Former Barcelona attackers Munir and Sandro line up for Las Palmas
It's probably not too controversial to say neither Munir (2011-2018) nor Sandro Ramírez (2009-2016) pulled up any trees at Barcelona after coming through the youth academy. The pair scored 19 goals (17 from Munir) for the Catalans between them and will have the chance to prove a point to their former employers today.
Las Palmas team to play Barcelona: Munir and Sandro face former club
Moleiro is fit to play for Las Palmas, with there are a couple of familiar names in there for Barça fans (at the end)!
Valles; Suárez, Coco, Mármol, Cardona; Kirian, Muñoz, Perrone, Moleiro, Munir; Sandro.
Barcelona team to play Las Palmas: Vitor Roque on the bench
Barça's team has been picked...and Vitor Roque starts on the bench!
Peña; Cancelo, Koundé, Araújo, Balde; Roberto, De Jong, Gündogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres.
Pedri's injury issues continue
Pedri has been struggling with injuries for the best part of three seasons now. He picked up a hamstring injury after the second LaLiga game of the campaign in August, which kept him on the sidelines until the start of November. After just nine appearances, Pedri broke down once again before the Christmas break, missing the last competition match of 2023 against Almería, as well as the friendly against Club América in Dallas, because of more muscle problems. As it stands, the Canary Islanders has played in only 11 of Barcelona’s 24 matches in all competitions this term.
This week, the 21-year-old revealed he had made changes to his diet and had started doing Pilates in an effort to get past his injury problems once and for all. No date has been set for the youngster’s return, but “it will be soon,” he says.
Early Barcelona team news: Pedri, Gavi and ter Stegen among absentees
We've established Barcelona could do with getting 2024 off to a good start, but they'll have to do so without first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as well as key midfield duo Pedriand Gavi. Defenders Iñigo Martínez, a semi-regular presence at the back, and Marcos Alonso, who hasn't featured much this season, are also sidelined.
Why isn't Mexico defender Julián Araújo playing for Las Palmas against Barça?
California-born Mexico international Julián Araújo joined Barcelona from LA Galaxy at the start of 2023 and was shipped out on loan to Las Palmas for the 2023-24 season. He's impressed his parent club with his performances for his loan team, to the extent that they've banned him from playing against them!
The good old "cláusula del miedo" ("the fear clause") is alive and well in Spain. Ronald will be the only Araújo in this one.
Early Las Palmas team news
Midfielder Fabio González and defender Álvaro Lemos aren't expected to play due to ankle injuries, while winger Alberto Moleiro is a doubt due to a shoulder issue.
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In case you missed it yesterday, Real Madrid did what Real Madrid do and won despite not being particularly impressive against Mallorca, who will feel they should've picked up a point at the Bernabéu. Antonio Rüdiger's second-half header settled it and Los Blancos are LaLiga's "winter champions" (i.e. top at the halfway point) ahead of surprise package Girona, who defeated Atlético Madrid in a seven-goal thriller in the last minute.
As a result, Barça find themselves 10 points behind the top two with a game in hand. The pressure is well and truly on!
How the LaLiga table looks: Barcelona
Ah, things were all looking so rosy for Barcelona early in the season. Then came a series of injuries, a late Clásico collapse against Real Madrid and dropped points against Rayo Vallecano, Girona and Valencia, which have left Xavi Hernández's men with serious work to do if they are to have any chance of defending the title they won last season.
It's the first game of 2024 and I'm going to stick my neck out (a bit) and say they already can't afford to slip up.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 48 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | 38 | 19 | 12 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | 38 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| 5 | 36 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| 6 | 32 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
How the LaLiga table looks: Las Palmas
It couldn't have been more of a mixed bag for Las Palmas so far, with seven wins, four draws and seven defeats from 18 matches leaving them smack bang in the middle of the LaLiga standings. The Canary Islanders, back in the top flight after five years away, often depend on their home form to keep them out of trouble and they've lost only once on their own patch so far, with a 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid their most impressive result on the island this season (they also won at Villarreal in October).
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 26 | 19 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 9 | 26 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| 10 | 25 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| 11 | 23 | 19 | 5 | 8 | 6 |
| 12 | 22 | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 |
What time does Las Palmas - Barcelona kick off?
We’ll all have to wait just a little though, as the clash in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria gets underway at 8:30 p.m. local time, which is 3:30 p.m. ET and 12:30 p.m. PT. Let’s hope you managed to get some extended time off over New Year (HNY, by the way!).
Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!
Hello and welcome to Las Palmas - Barcelona!
Will a new year signal an upturn in fortunes for Barcelona? Head coach Xavi Hernández will certainly hope so after seeing his team stumble over the line at the end of 2023. Barça are coming back refreshed after a two-week break and have got a shiny new toy for Christmas in the form of Brazilian striker Vitor Roque, who could make his debut today against mid-table Las Palmas. There's been a lot of hype surrounding him...no pressure, young man.
I'm Roddy and thanks for joining me as Gran Canaria sees its first LaLiga action of 2024!