Xavi’s Barcelona found themselves in even deeper trouble after failing to pick up maximum points at home against 19th-placed Granada.
They seemed to be on their way to a routine victory when teenage star Lamine Yamal opened the scoring early on in the 14th minute, only for Richard Sanchez to equalize shortly before halftime.
The second half was nerve-racking, as Barcelona had to come back from behind twice through a Robert Lewandowski goal and a second for Lamine Yamal, who equalized in the closing stages, securing a point for Barca. Facundo Pellistri and Ignasi Miquel rounded up the scoring for Granada.
Xavi was visibly disappointed after the encounter and admitted that it would be difficult to challenge for the league title. Still, he went on to add that it is not an impossible task for his side to win it. Speaking at the post-match conference, Xavi expressed his disappointment with his defense, saying:” we gave away goals and dangerous situations in many moments.”
He added, “It is very difficult to win the league, especially after today. The difference is big, but it’s not yet impossible.”
Barcelona will have to try to get some momentum going immediately with encounters against Celta Vigo, Getafe, and Athletic Club coming up, as they have only 14 more matches to catch a high-flying Real Madrid side, who have hammered 2nd-placed Girona 4-0 at the Bernabeu over the weekend.
