Leganes manager sheds lights on plans to overcome Barcelona – ‘Have taken note of their mistakes’ | OneFootball

Barcelona took all three points against Borussia Dortmund with an improved performance midweek but now stare at a difficult objective back in La Liga.

After a dismal run of results in the competition, the Catalans are looking to return to winning ways and find their momentum this weekend and will be up against Leganes at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

With Atletico Madrid up next, the Blaugrana must be at their best if they are to carry the momentum into that game.

Leganes manager speaks

Speaking to the media ahead of Leganes’ clash against Barcelona in La Liga, their manager Borja Jimenez dived deep into what he expects from Hansi Flick’s men at Montjuic and weighed his men’s chances on the night.

Speaking on Barcelona’s high line first, he stated that his men knew how to exploit the weakness and that they were prepared.

“Playing with the high defensive line is not a problem. We know that they defend far from the goal, that they play forward, that they take risks. That way of playing gives them results,” he said.

“We have to change some aspect of the game, for example, the way of attacking, since they force you to do different things. However, we will face it with confidence.”

Concurrently, however, he was aware that his team must be cautious given that Barcelona are rampant if given any spaces, saying:

“We have taken note of Barcelona’s mistakes. Las Palmas beat them there, but they could also have lost.

“Barca are the highest-scoring team in the League and the Champions League, we know that they will generate chances against us.”

Leganes manager Borja Jimenez believes they can upset Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

“We have to play as a group, be supportive and take advantage of our trump cards. They are going to grant us something from their attacking mindset. I think we will have options in the game,” he added.

Speaking on Flick’s suspension which will see him away from the sidelines tomorrow night, the Leganes coach refused to accept that it will have any effect on the result.

“I don’t think it matters at all that Flick is not on the bench. The coaches are used to being expelled, and we also have technical bodies so that our absence is not noticed.”

The manager was then asked what he planned differently against Barcelona compared to his plan against Real Madrid, to which he said,

“We reflected on that game. From 0-2 we didn’t play well, we lost our identity. We must improve, and we have talked about that this week, in which we have worked calmly.”

“We must have a more defensive presence, with interceptions and transitions, something we did not have against Madrid,” he added.

Elaborating on the unique threat Barcelona brought in attack and the sheer array of options they boasted, he said:

“Barça are a team that forces you to defend. They have men who make the field wide, especially with Lamine, Balde and Raphinha to enter through the interiors with Dani Olmo and Pedri.

“They are looking for breadth to play between the lines with decisive players.”

Source: SPORT