Leganes 2-1 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points, LaLiga 2018/19

Barcelona traveled to lowly Leganes, for a tie which pitted the table toppers against a side rooted to the bottom.

Leganes were huge underdogs going into the game, but they conjured up a historic win in front of a hysteric home support.

Ernesto Valverde rotated his side yet again, as Thomas Vermaelen replaced Jordi Alba and Munir El Haddadi came in for Luis Suarez.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring in the first half after a wonderful volley from Lionel Messi's pass. Leganes struck in the second half in the space of a minute to change the course of the game though.

Nabil El Zhar made it 1-1 and then Oscar Rodriguez Arnai scored immediately after to complete an amazing sequence. Barcelona could not score again despite some prolonged pressure and Leganes completed a historic win.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

#5 An old Suarez is preferable to a young Munir

Suarez is crucial to Barcelona's fortunes

There has been much talk this season about the decline of striker Luis Suarez and some aspects like his lack of pace are clear to be seen.

But he still remains a crucial part of this Barcelona team and his replacements are just not up to the mark. Munir started the match but failed to put in any substantial contributions. Suarez came on for him after an hour and livened the game up.

Suarez has been at the club for more than four years and he is now an integral part of it. His chemistry with Lionel Messi has paid a lot of dividends and continues to do so. Also, the lack of any signings in his position has further strengthened his starting role.

The Uruguayan is not the perfect striker, but he is much much better than anything Barcelona has to offer at the moment. Unfortunately, that fact cost them points today.

#4 Short spurt from Leganes induces panic in Barca's defence

Leganes players celebrate the goal

Till about the 50-minute mark, all was going well for Barcelona and they looked on course for the win. But then Leganes spoiled the script and then some.

Nabil El Zhar headed the equaliser after Thomas Vermaelen was caught out in his defensive duties. Then Pique, panicked, made a ghastly error and played the ball straight to Oscar Rodriguez Arnaiz in the penalty box and he made no mistake.

Leganes had overturned the deficit in no time at all and Barcelona were stunned. Both of the goals came due to individual mistakes and could have been avoided.

#3 Valverde can't keep rotating if it leads to dropped points

Valverde will introspect his rotation policy

Barcelona dropped their first points of the season against Girona on the weekend, and one of the reasons for it was the changes made in the lineup.

The likes of Coutinho and Rakitic were absent then and Suarez and Alba missed their starting positions today. All of them are key players and their absence was felt keenly in both the instances.

The fixtures are coming thick and fast due to the Champions League and many managers across Europe are resting their key players. But Valverde needs to strike a balance otherwise Barcelona will fall down the standings in the league.

#2 Leganes can take this win to kick on in their season

CD Leganes v FC Barcelona - La Liga

Prior to the game, Leganes were last in the league, and had a solitary point from their five games. Not much was expected from this game either but they turned the tables to earn a magnificent win.

This result will surely have buoyed their confidence after what had been a torrid league campaign thus far. Most of their players were amazing and the individuals will be feeling good about themselves.

Leganes avoided relegation last term by just one position and they need to improve their form to avoid the drop again. This win will go a long way in doing just that for Mauricio Pellegrino's men.

#1 Sign of things to come or just a blip?

All is not well at the Camp Nou at the moment

Barca has dropped valuable points in the last two games and Valverde and his squad certainly need a round of introspection.

The rotation has been a factor but starting players like Gerard Pique have not impressed either. Their defence has looked really shaky and counter-attacks have seriously threatened Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal.

Barcelona comfortably won the league last season and they could still be up there come May. But the problems seen in the last two games should be addressed by Valverde. Looking at the pedigree of the Barca players, bouncing back is most likely but mountains start from 'one point from two games' molehills.