La Liga leaders Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Leganes, thanks to an own goal by Jorge Saenz. Raphinha’s tantalizing cross forced Saenz into the error, and Robert Lewandowski loomed large behind him, ready to pounce.
The home side had the better chances in the first half, with Adria Altimira forcing a good save from Wojciech Szczesny and Dani Raba going close twice.
After the break, Barcelona gained some control, but they had to ride their luck as Raba had a goal chalked off for offside and substitute Diego Garcia slid wide when well-placed to score.
The win extends Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to seven points, with arch-rivals Real Madrid set to travel to struggling Alaves on Sunday.
Barcelona made only two changes from the side that beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg, and despite the disjointed display, they secured their eighth away win in a row in all competitions.
The Blaugrana were dealt a blow in the first half with influential left-back Alejandro Balde forced off with an injury.
Lewandowski came close to his 100th Barcelona goal, glancing wide from another delicious Raphinha delivery.
Barcelona next heads to Germany for their Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
