Barcelona resumed their La Liga campaign after the winter break with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Villarreal, leaving Luis Enrique’s champions five points behind the in-form leaders, Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane’s side equalled Barcelona’s Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions by swatting aside Granada 5-0 on Saturday.
Barcelona needed to respond at Villarreal but they required a superb, late Lionel Messi free-kick to salvage a draw, after a fine Nicola Sansone strike gave the home side the lead in the second half.
Fresh from the midweek Copa del Rey first-leg loss at Athletic Bilbao, the draw at Villarreal leaves Barcelona third in the table, a point behind Sevilla and five off Real Madrid, who also have a game in hand.
“I can’t make a positive evaluation because we needed the three points today,” said Luis Enrique. “We aren’t on a very favourable run at the moment and although we kept hitting the target things just would not fall for us.
“Of course, there is still time to catch Real. We’re going to have opportunities to fight for the league, although that will not just depend on us but also on them, and they are looking very strong at the moment.”
Guardian
The only thing constant in life us change…
This too shall pass
The only thing constant in life is change…
This too shall pass