Barcelona coach Luis Enrique felt his side’s efforts were not fully rewarded as it was held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday.
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Atletico Madrid, who greatly benefited from Barca’s 4-0 thrashing or Real, took full advantage and points today in their 2-0 home win over Granada courtesy of a Diego Godin unmarked header (surprise?) and a great run by Antoine Griezmann with a roof of the goal finish from close in.
Against a well drilled Valencia team who were clearly motivated by Neville’s presence, Barca created enough chances to have won the game by half time.
Barca squandered a host of chances in the first half, with Lionel Messi uncharacteristically wayward, but Luis Enrique said he was pleased with the team’s overall performance against what he called one of the best teams in the Spanish top flight.
Not to be left out, Suarez also looked to get into the action, but his far post volley went over the bar, before Santos clipped the ball from off his feet when he looked certain to score.
The goal was allowed even though Valencia protested that Suarez had been offside on the play.
Paco Alcacer gets all the plaudits for his superb touch and hold-up play as he teed up Santi Mina for a thumping equaliser with less than five minutes to play. The Uruguayan first appeared to stamp on marker Aymen Abdennour as the pair clashed off the ball in the second half.
At the Bernabeu, any sign of the fans’ frustration at the club’s latest gaffe in being eliminated from the Cup due to an administrative error was eased when Benzema fired home from Pepe’s fine cross after just five minutes.
That could have been reduced by the time the game kicks off as both of Barca’s title rivals begin their games earlier on Saturday, but with Barca playing their best football of the season, confidence will be high among “Cules” that they can take the three points.
“For Barcelona I think so”, he said in a media conference on Friday.
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Juanfran Guarnido pulled a goal back after 29 minutes but two minutes later Sandro pounced again.
