'Stupid petty little details' - Barcelona blow it to let Madrid back in title race

Posted Sunday, April 12, 2015 by Goal.com

COMMENT: Luis Enrique's side let a two-goal lead slip at Sevilla and are now just two clear of rivals Real in La Liga. Their capitulation could prove costly...

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 are back in the race for the title.

With Sevilla unbeaten at home in over a year, this was arguably Barca's biggest test in the final straight of La Liga. And for over half an hour, they looked like passing it with flying colours 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 leveller.

Such a capitulation is not the hallmark of champions 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 still remaining and if the two teams finish level at the end of the season, Madrid will win the title due to their superior head-to-head record in the Clasico clashes in the Primera Division this term.

Barcelona still have their destiny in their own hands, but face tough tests with trips to city rivals Espanyol and current champions Atletico, as well as a home game against Valencia. 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.

The performance itself was not a bad one, nor was the result, but the concern for Luis Enrique will be the way his side failed to capitalise on a winning position. Any repeat of that and the title could be at stake. The title race is wide open once again.