In a stunning development in La Liga, FC Barcelona lost its match against Real Sociedad 3-1, which now puts Real Madrid as the sole leader with 63 points.
Earlier on Saturday, Real beat Elche in a convincing 3-0 win without their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who was serving the last game of a three-match suspension.
Up until now, the top was shared by Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in a three way tie, Barcelona with a slight advantage in goal differential.
FC Barcelona lost their second game in the last four matches despite being invigorated by their defeat of Manchester City in a Champions League tie on Tuesday.
However, after Alex Song turned Sergio Canales’ pass into his own net, Lionel Messi tied almost instantly for FC Barcelona with a left-footed goal. But Real Sociedad scored two second-half goals from Antoine Griezmann and David Zurutuza handed Sociedad in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
#photos Another look at Real Sociedad vs Barça. More exclusive pics at http://t.co/Q4EJ6OfhMT http://t.co/dHaimiWCZ7
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 23, 2014
Another look at the defeat at Anoeta http://t.co/9vYE4A1Upk
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 23, 2014
Barca Manager Gerardo Martino — who was sent off for complaining — said in the press conference following the disappointing defeat that the team needs to “look forward” and that his approach to the game wasn’t the best: “I didn’t read the game correctly.”
“Having three forwards implies that we wouldn’t be playing with four midfielders. I thought that it was better to line up a double pivot, with Song. Rotations are good when the results are positive.”
Martino added When asked about his substitutions after Real had scored their third goal: “We didn’t have the necessity to rethink our approach and when we decided to make our first sub, they scored the 3-1.”
The FC Barcelona manager had nothing to say about his expulsion from the field at the break:
“I have nothing to say with respect to my expulsion, the referee made the decision.”
Speaking to Spanish station Canal Plus, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique — who is out for two weeks with an injured right thigh — had a philosophical approach to the uncharacteristic loss:
“We didn’t feel comfortable and we didn’t have possession, which is our strength. That allowed then to create chances. Now we have a week to rest and reflect on why things did’t go well. It is not worrying, we just have to continue onto the next game.”
FC Barcelona failed to convert its possession into goals and midfielder Andres Iniesta admitted that Real Sociedad was the better team.
