Barcelona, Spain – In a nerve-wracking encounter against the winless Almeria, Barcelona managed a narrow 3-2 victory, sparking mixed reactions from the home fans at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. Despite the win, frustration brewed among supporters who voiced their discontent, underlining the team’s recent struggles in the Spanish league.

“We understand why the fans aren’t too happy, we aren’t either,” admitted Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto. “But we have to be more united than ever now. We need the fans behind us. Hopefully, we will begin next year with the right foot.”

The game witnessed a rollercoaster of events as Roberto found the net twice and Raphinha added one for Barcelona. However, the team faced unexpected challenges from Almeria, the sole winless side in the league this season. The Saudi-owned club, enduring a staggering 21-game winless streak, fiercely contested Barcelona’s attempts to secure a comfortable victory. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive La Liga odds from Nextbet. 

Barcelona’s struggle to assert dominance over their underdog opponent led to a late 83rd-minute winner by Roberto, rescuing the Catalan club from squandering a lead for the second time in the match.

“We suffered more than we expected and more than we deserved,” reflected Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández. “We had 30 shots on goal and gifted two goals. The first half was unacceptable, but the second was better. It’s been like this for a month and a half or two.”

Xavi’s squad, marred by defensive vulnerabilities, has conceded 21 goals in 18 matches this season, a statistic that highlights their defensive frailties compared to the previous season’s performance.

The team’s recent performance reflects a downward trend, following a draw against Valencia and a disheartening loss to Girona at home. These setbacks compounded their Champions League group stage exit after a defeat to Antwerp. Despite these shortcomings, Barcelona managed to secure a spot in the knockout rounds for the first time in recent years.

With a depleted squad due to suspensions and injuries, Barcelona encountered hurdles with the absence of key players like Frenkie de Jong and Pedri. Sergi Roberto stepped in as the defensive midfielder, aiming to fill the void left by the sidelined stars.

Almeria, despite drawing in recent league encounters, remains rooted to the bottom of the table with only five points, nine points adrift from safety. Their solitary win in 20 matches this season came against a lower-division side in the Copa del Rey, indicative of their struggle to make an impact in top-flight football.

Barcelona’s victory, albeit hard-fought, leaves questions lingering about the team’s form and ability to maintain their stronghold in the league. The plea for unity and support from fans signals a recognition within the team of the need for collective backing to navigate through this challenging phase. Get the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.