Barcelona boss Quique Setien missed the chance in his side’s 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday afternoon, as the Catalans handed Real Madrid the lead in the La Liga title race.
Barca looked set to hold on for a slim 2-1 victory after Luis Suarez’s well-taken brace, but Celta hit back late on through an Iago Spas free-kick to restore parity.
Iago Aspas equalized two minutes from time with a skillfully taken free kick / Octavio Passos/Getty Images
It was a very disappointing afternoon for Setien, especially as his side looked impressive in the opening 45 minutes. The Spaniard was upbeat, however, in his assessment of the game, claiming his side needed to bounce back with all three points.
“They took a lot of risks in the last few minutes and got a goal that gave them a point,” Setien said, per Marca.
“We shouldn’t have been in that situation because we were the better team in the first half. We should have gone into the break with a more comfortable scoreline. I think [football is unfair].
“The lead we had in the first half was enough to win the match and go in. [the second half] with more comfort. We are having a hard time. Scoring is sometimes a question of luck.”
Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique canceled out a brilliant start in the first period, as Barca failed to extend their 1-0 lead before the break.
Lionel Messi uncharacteristically fluffs his lines in front of goal in the opening period / Socrates Images / Getty Images
The result means Real will move two points clear at the top of the table if they beat Espanyol on Sunday night and Setien says his side need to win all of their remaining six league games. It will happen if they want to leave Los behind. Blancos for the title.
“It is true that we had a two-point lead in 11 matches and now as long as our opponents win, they will have that advantage,” he added.
“We’ve got a bit of margin for error now and, in theory, we have to win all our games and hope our opponent slips up.
The initiative has been handed back to Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid in the La Liga title race / Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images
“We will try to get as many points as possible. We will see if we have a little more resolution in some aspects that make it easier for us.”