Barcelona's false sense of security opens door in La Liga title race
La Liga is not over yet. Stunning strikes from Lionel Messi and Neymar put Barcelona in a commanding position at 2-0 up in Sevilla on Saturday, but the Catalans preceded to ruin all of their hard work as the home side secured a point -- and now Real Madrid is back in the race for the title.
With Sevilla unbeaten at home for more than a year, this was arguably Barca's biggest test in the final straight of La Liga. And for over half an hour, the blaugrana looked like passing it with flying colors as Messi curled in a fine first and Neymar ended his recent goal drought with a superb second from a free kick.
But Luis Suarez squandered three good chances, Claudio Bravo let Ever Banega's shot slip past his weak hands en route to the corner of the net and with time running out, Gerard Pique gifted possession to Jose Antonio Reyes, who set up Kevin Gameiro for a late leveler.
Such a capitulation is not the hallmark of a champion and Luis Enrique must take responsibility as well after withdrawing the impressive Neymar to bring on Xavi. The Catalan midfielder was needed to restore calm and possession, but not at the expense of the Brazilian. The balance was upset. Sevilla sensed the chance to cause an upset, and achieved it.
Neymar was unhappy to be taken off and gestured angrily with his hands that he strongly disagreed with the substitution.
"I don't look at petty details like that," Luis Enrique said afterwards. "It's become fashionable and it's stupid. I'm only interested in the team winning."
However, such "petty little details" could be the difference between winning or losing La Liga. After all, a four-point advantage has now been reduced to two with seven games remaining. If the two teams finish level at the end of the season, Madrid will win the title due to its superior head-to-head record in the Clasico clashes in the Primera Division this term.
Barcelona still has its destiny in its own hands, but faces tough tests with trips to city rival Espanyol and current champion Atletico, as well as a home game against Valencia next weekend. Madrid, meanwhile, must also travel to Sevilla, while Carlo Ancelotti's men face a potentially tricky trip to Celta, an away match at Espanyol and a home game against Valencia between now and the end of May.
"We are still leaders and we are confident we can improve our performances," the Barca boss added afterwards.
Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets admitted whether the result was deserved or not, the team has to move on. He also credited Sevilla.
"But, we played a Sevilla team who have not lost at home in over a year and have also won a trophy," Busquets said. "We wanted to take control of the game when we went ahead, but Sevilla played well, became intense and countered us."
The performance itself was not a bad one, nor was the result. The concern for Luis Enrique, however, will be the way his side failed to capitalize on a winning position. Any repeat of that and the title could be at stake. The title race is wide open once again.
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