Barcelona's most inopportune defeat gives life to Madrid
Barça give Madrid the gift of life. The Blaugrana had an extraordinary opportunity to seal La Liga after Madrid's slip-up against Atletico in the Bernabeu derby. If they beat Almeria, a team fighting to avoid relegation, they would be 10 points clear and would deal an almost definitive blow in the title race. But then came the most unexpected defeat (their second of the season) at the most inopportune moment. And in the end, Los Blancos' draw served to narrow the gap with Xavi's side.
What could have been a perfect day for Barça in their race for the title ended up being a disaster that does not jeopardise the championship but is a moral blow that adds to the disappointment of the sad elimination from the Europa League. Two setbacks just three days apart that will test the strength of a Barça under construction. Every new project has moments of fragility that mark its trajectory. This turning point has arrived for the Blaugrana. The defeat in Almeria can sink them or it can mean a boost. Next Thursday, in the first chapter of the trilogy of clásicos (Copa and Liga) against Madrid, we will see for ourselves.
The game became very difficult for Barça when El Bilal Toure gave the home side the lead in the 24th minute. Almería had never beaten the Blaugranas in their 15 previous meetings (13 defeats and two draws) and looked set for a historic win at the most inopportune moment for Xavi's side. Barça came out of the blocks, lacking ideas, dragging the mental fog of the Europa League elimination behind them. And that lack of intensity and precision took its toll against an Almeria side who were playing for their lives. They didn't have a single clear goal-scoring opportunity in the first half and went into the break with the feeling that it was going to be very difficult for them to come back in the second period. And so it was.
Not even the multiple changes (of players and system) ordered by Xavi were enough to overcome the effective defensive spider web devised by Rubi. Barça were unable to score and let three points slip away that all the Culés had taken for granted before the game. And a painful conclusion: how much the Blaugrana team misses the talent of Pedri! Since the injury of the Tenerife midfielder, Barça have lost much of their magic.
