"Has extremely low football IQ", "He's a midtable player" - Fans call out Barcelona star for his showing in loss to Leganes
Barcelona fans took to X to rip into academy graduate Alejandro Balde for his performance in their 0-1 loss to Leganes in LaLiga on Sunday (December 15). The 21-year-old was included in the starting XI but couldn’t meet the expectations of fans.
Having dropped points in their last league game, Barcelona were keen to extend their lead on the LaLiga table. However, things took a twist in the tale for Hansi Flick’s men as they were undone by a corner kick in the opening four minutes of the game. Sergio Gonzalez Poirrier gave Leganes the lead as he rose high near the penalty spot to plant a brilliant header from Oscar Rodriguez’s corner into the roof of the net.
Barcelona huffed and puffed for an equalizer before the break, but the first half ended with Leganes ahead. They continued with the same theme in the second half, but Leganes’ defense proved a hard nut to crack.
Borja Jiménez’s men held on to their early lead to hand La Blaugrana consecutive home defeats for the third time in all competitions in the 21st century. While the first instance came in April 2003 under Radomir Antic (2), the second one came in April 2022 under Xavi Hernandez (3).
One player that the Barcelona fans were particularly not happy with was Alejandro Balde. The La Masia graduate lost possession 15 times and made zero interceptions and tackles. After the match, fans took to X to call Balde out for his performance.
A fan wrote:
''Balde has extremely low football IQ. Its painful to watch.''
Another tweeted:
''Balde will never be good enough. He’s a midtable player.''
''I can't bring myself to rep Balde anymore any @ suggestions?'' @BaldeWaves2 wrote.
''Balde WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH,'' @BCNOgi added.
''Balde needs some real competition on that left side. we can't continue like this...'' @lurkingcule chimed in .
''Balde is like martinelli, your typical road runner,'' @Ewa_ocheee wrote.
Hansi Flick’s assistant says Barcelona didn’t start the game focused after 0-1 loss to Leganes
Hansi Flick's assistant Marcus Sorg gave his assessment of Barcelona’s performance after they dropped points again in LaLiga. Flick missed the game against Leganes due to a suspension he received against Real Betis (December 7). Hansi Flick’s men failed to beat Betis in their last LaLiga match and settled for a 2-2 draw.
Their defeat to Leganes on Sunday has put them level on points (38) with Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand. After the match, Sorg lamented the defeat, saying Barcelona didn’t start the game focused. He told the club’s website:
"The team did not start the game focused and that led to the goal. The team have found it difficult in the league and despite having chances we failed to take the win. Defeats like today are hard to take but it's all part of the process and we have to work hard so things turn out as we want them."
He added:
"Confidence is still intact. The team are still ready to go for everything in the next game."
Barca will next be in action against Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Saturday (December 21).