A brave Las Palmas fight out a draw with Barça (1-1)

UD Las Palmas played bravely, as their trainer requested, and felt the support of the home crowd more than ever in the Gran Canaria stadium. As usually happens every season, some small teams are able to snatch points off the 'Heavyweights'. That is what happened tonight. The point earned against the leaders of LaLiga has to be the springboard for survival. Paco Jémez remained true to his style. He made just one change in defence. Aguirregaray moved over to the right and Dani Castellano took over on the left. This time it was Michel Macedo who was on the subs bench. Las Palmas took the game to league leaders FC Barcelona, and showed no fear. With both Leo Messi and Luis Suárez in the starting line-up there was to be no speculation. Valverde didn’t want any surprises tonight. Chichizola rushed out riskily early on to keep out what would have been Barça’s first goal. A lost ball in defence was taken advantage of by Messi and he played in Luis Suárez who ran into the Argentine goalkeeper. Las Palmas’ keeper also showed great reflexes a couple of minutes later to turn around a free kick by Leo Messi for a corner. Messi was the player looking the most threatening for the away team. Las Palmas were struggling to get the ball off Barcelona, who were playing at a leisurely pace and controlling the match, looking to make the most of any mistakes by the home team. Las Palmas created two goal-scoring chances, but the ball only hovered around the area. Nevertheless, Las Palmas were showing improvement as the match progressed. On 20 minutes, Messi made the score 0-1 with a rising free kick. FC Barcelona moved ahead just when the yellows were finding their feet. The home players didn’t let it get them down, and began to push harder to try and unsettle a Barcelona side who were dominant thanks to Messi’s interventions. Halilovic, Etebo and Calleri tried hard in attack, but Las Palmas continued to have problems with the final shot on goal. The teams went in at half time with advantage to Barcelona 0-1. The second half couldn’t have started better for Las Palmas as they were awarded a penalty that was converted by Calleri, following a foul on Matías Aguirregaray. Las Palmas then became bolder still. Messi was not featuring and Barcelona were now struggling to get the ball off their opponents. Las Palmas held firm against Barça’s raids, as the away team looked to strengthen their options by bringing on Countinho and Rakitic. UD Las Palmas were spurred on by the home fans, who were key in helping their team stem the tide of attacks by Barcelona, although the best chance to make it 2-1 fell to Tana. The key was to not let Messi in, and to hold out for the six minutes of added time by referee Mateu Lahoz. It is a point that gives Las Palmas fresh hope for survival, which is now firmly in their hands.