Madrid: Barcelona’s slim hopes of retaining their La Liga title were all but ended after they were held 2-2 at home by struggling Getafe on Saturday. The Catalans now trail leaders Atletico Madrid by three points with just two games remaining and having played a game more, whilst Real Madrid are just three points further back but with two games in hand over Barca.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a fine finish, but Barca were pegged pack when Angel Lafita levelled just before half-time. The Spanish champions improved going forward after the break and deservedly went back in front when Alexis Sanchez drilled the ball home 23 minutes from time, but they were stunned in injury time as Lafita rose to head home Jaime Gavilan’s cross to secure a vital point for Getafe.
“We have committed errors that are unbecoming of the professionals we are,” Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told Canal Plus. “There are two games remaining and we will try to play them with honour because the league is practically lost. We hope that next season will be different,” he added.
Coach Gerardo Martino also admitted that it was unacceptable to relinquish their title by dropping points at home to a side fighting relegation. “In reality it was not what we expected,” said the Argentine. “There was a chance that we wouldn’t achieve our objective in winning the league, but not because we didn’t win our games. Today we committed some errors and it has cost us,” he said.
The hosts began slowly but went in front with their first clear opening on 23 minutes when Messi swept home Dani Alves’s low cross to register his 41st goal of the season. Getafe were level before half-time when Lafita controlled Pablo Sarabia’s looping free-kick before firing low into the far corner.
Barca did finally go back in front midway through the second-half as substitute Cesc Fabregas had an instant impact when his low cross fell perfectly for Sanchez to rifle home his 20th goal of the season.
The home side should have added to their lead in the closing stages as Alves somehow headed wide Messi’s cross. However, there was nothing the keeper could do to prevent Lafita powering home his second of the afternoon in stoppage time to move Getafe three points clear of the relegation zone.
