Only one triumph in the previous five La Liga clashes did not deprive Barcelona of the top spot. Barca’s thanks go to Vallecas and Rayo Vallecano, which salvaged a 3-3 draw against Real Madrid last night and prevented Los Blancos from taking over the top of the table.Tonight against Leganes (23.00), Hansi Flick’s boys will have a chance to increase the gap to four points in case of a win. Yet, the Catalans will be without their manager on the bench, as the German serves a two-game suspension for the dismissal against Betis eight days ago. Time is ticking away – Barca are on the verge of losing OlmoAlthough he accepted the repercussions, Flick had a piece of advice for the refs.”We have to accept it. And I have to accept the red card. I feel bad, but this is a different league that I wasn’t used to. I’ve already been red carded in two games. I accept it and I have to work on my behaviour a little. I’m just saying that the referees should decide the same in all the games, on the other benches. Not just with Barca,” said the strategist on the pre-match press conference via Marca.🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “It’s tough, but I accept my suspension. We’re all human and everyone makes mistakes. I have to control my emotions.” #BarçaLeganés pic.twitter.com/q6WV1eLFWt— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 14, 2024 More than five months after he suffered an injury representing Uruguay at Copa America, Ronald Araujo is back in the squad for a La Liga match. However, more than his return, the 25-year-old’s contract extension is the topic in Spain. Araujo’s deal with Barcelona expires in June 2026, but Bayern Munich’s alleged interest has put the defender in a dilemma.🚨🎖️| The club believe Araujo’s agents are pressuring the player to not renew the contract, but the Uruguayan is excited about the project and the club wants him to take a step forward and impose the opinion on his agents while also returning to the pitch. [@ffpolo] #fcblive 🇺🇾 pic.twitter.com/DdXYKO8uTW— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) December 15, 2024 Unlike the centre-back, Ansu Fati is not yet ready to come back after a muscle injury and will be out of the squad for the Leganes clash. Finally, should he start tonight as expected, Alejandro Balde will celebrate a jubilee – his 100th appearance for the club from Camp Nou.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 17FridayValladolid – Valencia 1-0 (1-0)/Anuar 20/SaturdayEspanyol – Osasuna 0-0Mallorca – Girona 2-1 (1-1)/Larin 20,51 – Van de Beek 7/Sevilla – Celta 1-0 (0-0)/Bueno 65/Rayo Vallecano – Real Madrid 3-3 (2-2)/Lopez 4, Mumin 36, Palazon 64 – Valverde 39, Bellingham 45, Rodrygo 56/SundayAtl.Madrid – Getafe 1-0 (0-0)/Sorloth 69/18:15: (3.50) Alaves (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.20)20:30: (1.42) Sociedad (4.30) Las Palmas (8.50)20:30: (1.85) Villareal (3.70) Betis (4.70)23:00: (1.15) Barcelona (8.00) Leganes (16.0)***odds are subject to change***
