12/02/2024
567 times read
12/02/2024
567 times read
MADRID, Feb 12, (AP): Barcelona heard from its fans again after its chances of successfully defending the Spanish league title took another hit.
Barcelona was jeered at home following a 3-3 draw against second-to-last Granada, a setback that saw the Catalan club move 10 points behind leader Real Madrid, which defeated second-place Girona 4-0.
Barcelona trails Girona by five points and is three ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid, which lost 1-0 at Sevilla earlier.
The draw is likely to add more pressure on Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández, who recently said he will not return after the end of the season.
"It was already tough for us in the league, and now it's two points tougher,” Xavi said. "It's a big gap but we are not going to throw in the towel. We have to stop making mistakes.”
Barcelona was heavily favored to win against a Granada team that has only one win in its last 13 matches in all competitions.
Teenager Lamine Yamal was the man of the match for Barcelona, scoring twice.
"We tried until the end but couldn't get the win," the 16-year-old Yamal said. "It's another missed opportunity but we have to keep fighting. There are still many matches remaining and the teams at the top could still stumble.”