Barça Atlètic 2-0 Cultural Leonesa: Statement win against the leaders

A 2-0 win for Barça Atlètic at home to Cultural Leonesa, and a game that can add to the optimism that relegation can be avoided. The visit of the twelve game unbeaten league leaders proved no issue for Sergi Milà's side, who put in a well-rounded performance.

Off to a good start

Barça Atlètic began in solid and effective fashion, and they soon took the lead despite possession often switching sides early on. Aleix Garrido played a pass through behind the home side's defence and Trilli passed to Cédric, who scored into an empty net from inside the six yard box (1-0, min 11).

Barça didn't need further chances to maintain their lead as they rebutted every attempt by Cultural Leonesa, whose repeated efforts to equalise saw both the defence and keeper Astralaga in good form, the latter saving one on one from Manu Justo with half an hour gone.

Cultural Leonesa one player down

Soon after Presa was sent off for stopping Cédric going through one on one (min 36), but the home side still kept Astralaga busy, no more so than when he palmed away a Luis Chacón free kick that was heading into the top corner.

Blaugranes seal the win after the break

Barça Atlètic made the most of the extra player to go in search of a second goal, ultimately dominating the second half. Sergi Milà's side kept pushing and controlled proceedings by keeping the ball. In the end, a move down the right saw second half substitute Jan Virgili beat Bañuz to extend the lead (2-0, min 75).

Cultural Leonesa had no response to the second goal and the blaugranes took home the three points. A very important win with a view to staving off relegation, but there is still a long way to go. Next up Barça Atlètic travel to play Celta Fortuna (4 April, kickoff 8.30pm CEST).

MATCH STATS

Barça Atlètic 2
Cultural Leonesa 0

Barça Atlètic: Astralaga, Jofre Torrents, Cortés, Trilli (Olmedo, 46') Mbacke (Sergi Domínguez, 76') Cédric (Barberá, 66') Soma, Aleix Garrido, Guillermo Fernández (Jan Virgili, 66') Dacosta (Noah Darani)

Cultural Leonesa: Bañuz, Álvaro, Victor García (Víctor Ruiz, 80'), Satrustegui, Fornos, Pibe (Carlos Calderón, 56') Presa, Bicho, Samanes (Maestre, 46') Chacón (Barrio 69') y Justo (Artola, 80').

Goals: 1-0, Cédric (min 10), 2-0, Jan Virgili (min 75).

Referee: Gonzalo González Páez. Yellow card to Jofre Torrents and Trilli from Barça Atlètic. Red card to Presa from Cultural Leonesa.