Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Busquets: Barca's La Liga hopes 'practically over'

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Tuesday, 11 May 2021 17:33

Sergio Busquets conceded that Barcelona's hopes of winning La Liga evaporated with Tuesday's 3-3 draw against Levante.

Barca led 2-0 and 3-2 in Valencia before conceding a late equaliser to leave their title hopes hanging by a thread after picking up just five points from their last four games.

- Ratings: Messi gets 7/10 despite lacklustre draw
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

In addition to winning their remaining two fixtures, Barca need Atletico to drop at least five points from their final three matches and Real Madrid to lose one or draw two of their last three games.

"We don't have much of a chance now," Busquets told Movistar after the final whistle at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium. "It will depend on our rivals, but this is our own fault, [bad] decisions, a lack of concentration. We concede goals too easily.

"We don't feel good because it was always going to be difficult, but we wanted to put pressure on those at the top. We had the lead, but as has happened this season, [Levante] scored goals too easily. The point doesn't mean much because that's the league practically over for us. We've dropped too many points to fight for the title."

Atletico can open a four-point lead over Barca with just two games to go if they beat Real Sociedad on Wednesday. Real Madrid, meanwhile, can move two points clear of the Blaugrana if they win at Granada on Thursday.

Barca's chances are further hindered by the fact both Atletico and Madrid have the superior head-to-head record against them, which is the determining factor should two teams finish level on points after 38 games.

The draw with Levante brought further questions about coach Ronald Koeman's future at the club.

Sources told ESPN earlier this week that there are doubts about the Dutchman's long-term suitability to the role, regardless of whether or not Barca go on to win the title to add to their Copa del Rey success earlier in the campaign.

However, a failure to claim top spot this season, given Barca had their fate in their own hands before the defeat to Granada on April 29, could accelerate calls for him to go.

"There are always questions about coaches, that won't change," Koeman said in a news conference when asked about his job prospects. "But after that second half, I understand there will be questions, of course."

Lionel Messi's 29th league goal of the season and Pedri had helped Barca into a two-goal half-time lead but quick-fire goals after the break from Gonzalo Melero and Jose Luis Morales drew the hosts level.

Ousmane Dembele restored Barca's lead in the 64th minute but a late goal from Sergio Leon earned Levante a point.

"Sometimes it's difficult to explain [what happened]," Koeman added when asked what went wrong. "Analysing the game, in the first half we were good, there was a good rhythm with the ball, good intensity. We created chances to score and we went in 2-0 up.

"At the start of the second half, we lost the ball more, our intensity dropped and we switched off defensively. It's difficult to reverse that once you've let them back into the game, as we did [by conceding] three goals in 35 minutes."

Read 310 times

Soccer

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA launched a $50 million legacy fund for social programmes on We...

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

EmailPrintManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has apologised for suggesting he wanted to hurt himself...

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City did the easy part by having manager Pep Guardiola s...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and...

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Tues...

Baseball

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have...

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated