Barcelona vs. Malaga: Score, Grades and Reaction from 2015 La Liga Match

Barcelona couldn't overcome an early mistake and eventually slipped to a shock 1-0 home defeat against a resolute Malaga team. In the process, Barca missed the chance to temporarily move to the top of the La Liga standings.

The Catalan club went a goal down early on thanks to a mistake entirely of its own making, or more specifically, of Dani Alves' making.

The veteran Brazilian right-back attempted to pass back to goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. But all the 31-year-old managed to do was set up Malaga striker Juanmi to score.

After that, the match deteriorated into a predictable format. Malaga sat off in numbers, trying to close off Barca's passing lanes and turning any errant possession into an opportunity on the break.

Barcelona remained frustrated for large portions of the match. In particular, European football's best front three, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez, struggled to click.

Goal.com journalist Ben Hayward felt Messi's positioning didn't really help the Barca attack:

Barca also laboured in midfield and seemed to miss the patient guile of Ivan Rakitic and Xavi Hernandez. Manager Luis Enrique became increasingly agitated by his side's stunted approach play.

By contrast, Enrique's Malaga counterpart, Javi Gracia, seemed to have all the answers, according to freelance football journalist Jason Pettigrove:

Eventually, Enrique attempted to pose Gracia a few different questions by introducing Rakitic for Rafinha. But the Croatian playmaker's introduction, which was quickly followed by forward Pedro entering the fray, did little to force Malaga players out of their plan.

The strategy stayed the same. Barca were given the room to work the ball toward the box, but that's where space was routinely closed off, and the tackles could only politely be called uncompromising.

But it wasn't all siege mentality from Gracia's men. They remained lively on the counter. Pettigrove praised the bold team shape for the performance:

Here are some of the main player grades:

Lionel Messi: 7/10

Messi toiled and always remained a threat. But he wasn't helped by being funnelled to the wing. The pocket-edition goal king also received little in the way of adequate supply from a midfield uncharacteristically lacking in ideas.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Messi also needed more help from Neymar and Suarez. With players of that calibre around him, Barca shouldn't be as reliant on Messi as in previous seasons.

But this dismal result seemed to indicate the Catalan club will still only go as far as the Argentinian mini marvel will take it.

Luis Suarez: 5/10

Suarez lacked his usual trickery and guile. The Uruguayan was short on inspiration and long on frustration.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

In fact, the former Liverpool talisman seemed to give in to the latter characteristic too easily. His overall performance showed a player still not completely comfortable alongside his decorated teammates.

Post-Match Reaction

Journalist Sid Lowe feels this result is the worst message ahead of Barca's UEFA Champions League last-16 clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City:

Pettigrove echoed that same thought:

A defeat like this is obviously the worst kind of preparation for a marquee fixture. But it's too soon to predict a Barca wobble in Europe's premier club competition.

This is the kind of result that can happen to every attack-minded, possession-based team from time to time. Playing the way Barca do leaves little room for error.

So when a calamity at the back gifts an early goal, Enrique's men are always going to find it tougher to break down the opposition. Malaga were naturally stubborn, but despite the difficulty they posed, Barca were guilty of a lack of imagination and verve on the ball.

Pettigrove credited Gracia for making things difficult for an in-form team:

The Malaga gaffer's tactics were made possible thanks to the energy and graft of his players. Young midfielder Sergi Darder was quick to highlight those qualities as the reason for the win, per the Sky Sports match feed: "Run, run, run."

Malaga certainly put the work in to earn this most unexpected of three points. While Gracia's players will just be grateful for the win, Barca will rue a massive missed opportunity to briefly overhaul Real Madrid in the title race.

If Enrique's men don't win this season's title, it will be results like this that cause the failure.