A wondergoal by Lionel Messi that could save the title
2017 has not started well, with defeat at the San Mames too. The worrying things are the sensations shown by the team
Barcelona only valued victory at Villarreal. Any other result would signify a virtual goodbye to La Liga. The Blaugrana had to win at El Madrigal (now rebaptized the Estadio de la Ceramica), to cut back Real Madrid's lead. Not even a draw, despite the strength of Fran Escriba's side, was allowable.
2017 has not started well, with defeat at the San Mames too. That can be turned around at Camp Nou. The worrying thing is the sensations shown by the team, who did not play at all in the first half. Bad refereeing is not an excuse for Barcelona, who must keep developing their play.
And that, precisesly, is what was wrong against Villarreal. The play. Barcelona dominated the first half but had no clear chancaes. And in the second, the hosts at their first opportunity, struck and made it even harder for Barcelona. To come back while playing badly was a miracle made by Messi, with one of his strokes of genius.
Barcelona were saved by the Argentine crack. A clear penalty ignored by the referee from a handball by Bruno from his shot was ignored. Then he hit the post. But eventually his luck turned and he scored a strataspheric free-kick to level. 1-1 was insufficient, but it allows the team to retain some hope. Slight. But some hope.
