FC Barcelona cracked against Cadiz (1-0) Monday at Camp Nou at the end of the 32nd day, and stagnated in second place, tied with Sevilla FC and Atlético Madrid (60 points), fifteen lengths behind the Real Madrid.
The Blaugranas folded on the return from the locker room on a goal from Lucas Perez (47th) after two parades from Marc-André ter Stegen in front of Ruben Sobrino, under the eyes of Clément Lenglet, inert, thus conceding their first defeat in La Liga for four months.
“We are Barça, we must do better”
This setback comes four days after their elimination from the Europa League in the quarter-finals against Eintracht Frankfurt in incredible conditions.
This second rout in a row worries, just before the final sprint of the season.
Barça had not lost in the league since December 4 against Betis Sevilla at Camp Nou (2-1).
Since then, Xavi's players had been on a fifteen-game unbeaten streak in La Liga (four draws and eleven wins), and had won their last seven league games.
“We missed a golden opportunity to make a difference with the other teams involved in the battle for the Champions League, reacted Xavi in a post-match press conference.
We almost said goodbye to the title.
We have to do our self-criticism.
We are Barça, we have to do better.
This worries me, clearly.
We are very disappointed, explained the technician.
The players must show more desire, more faith.
This worries me, clearly.
We must be more humble.
We have changed our style of play, our identity, but we still have to improve.
And you have to qualify for the Champions League in any way.
With 15 points ahead of Barça, who have to play a late match, Real Madrid, author of a new exceptional comeback against Sevilla, will almost have the Spanish title in their pocket in the event of victory Wednesday evening against Osasuna at home.
Sport
Barça - Frankfurt: How could the German supporters be so numerous at Camp Nou?
Sport
Real Madrid: Yet another crazy comeback thanks to Benzema, La Liga is almost in the pocket
Sport
Soccer
FC Barcelona
Spain
Xavi