FC Barcelona's 13-game unbeaten run in LaLiga came to an end after suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat to Almeria on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Result: Almeria 1-0 FC Barcelona
Date: 26 February 2023
Venue: Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos
Barca made four changes to the side that lost against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League, as Jordi Alba, Eric Garcia, Gavi and Ferran Torres were recalled.
Blaugrana struggled to establish their normal passing rhythm, as they could not hold onto the ball for long periods but Sergi Roberto came close to giving them the lead early on with a looping shot that missed the far post narrowly wide after he cut inside the box.
Having contained Xavi's charges up to the 24th minute, Almeria took a shock lead courtesy of a half-volley by El Bilal Toure after a through ball over the top by Luis Suarez.
Barcelona lacked a sense of urgency with the interval approaching and despite launching a number of attacks they could not test Almeria goalkeeper Fernando Martinez in goal and needed to be decisive in the second stanza to get back into the game.
Xavi made a tactical change at half-time to add more numbers in attack as Raphinha replaced Franck Kessie but the visitors were playing crosses more than putting the ball on the ground and Almeria dealt with their aerial threats.
Blaugrana eventually regained their composure going forward, as they looked to carve out openings and they had a golden chance with 18 minutes remaining after Torres made a cut-back that needed a tap-in at the back post but Raphinha could not connect with the ball with a sliding attempt.
With Barcelona desperate for an equaliser, the home side were also a threat on counter-attacks as Samuel Costa almost doubled their lead six minutes before time with a swerving and dipping shot that brought the best out of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Robert Lewandowski came close to snatching the equaliser for the visitors in stoppages with a header that sailed slightly over the crossbar as Almeria held on to clinch a famous win.
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