FC Barcelona launched an epic three-goal comeback in 11 minutes but still lost 5-3 to Villarreal at the Montjuic Stadium on Saturday.
The fixture was the first time that Barca had played before its fans in 2024, following a Spanish Super Cup final loss to bitter rivals Real Madrid in Riyadh plus a Copa del Rey quarterfinals KO administered by Athletic Club in San Mames midweek.
It seemed that similar disappointment was on its way at the hands of the 'Yellow Submarine', who had two goals disallowed in the first half.
Another third time lucky strike from Gerard Moreno was allowed to stand, however, leading to Barca again being whistled and booed off the Montjuic pitch at the interval as seen in their last home game of 2023 against bottom of the league Almeria.
Unlike on that December evening, however, head coach Xavi Hernandez's team talk seemed to have had little affect with Ilias Akhomach doubling the visitors' lead on 54 minutes.
The ex-La Masia product, who made his debut on Xavi's maiden outing in the dug out against Espanyol in November 2021, appeared to have put another nail in the club legend's Barca head coach coffin after capitalizing on a terrible Joao Felix error and rounding Inaki Pena to coolly slot home.
Ilkay Gundogan tried to repay the faith Xavi showed when convincing him to leave Champions League and treble winners Manchester City in the summer by pulling back a consolation goal on the hour mark.
Eight minutes later, midfield partner Pedri got on the scoresheet to equal the proceedings ahead of Ronald Araujo playing his part in forcing Eric Bailly to score an own goal.
Culers probably thought they had witnessed their team launch a comeback for the ages as seen in September at the expense of Celta Vigo.
Yet with just six minutes to spare, Goncalo Guedes leveled for Marcelino's men and dented their hopes of three points.
Eight minutes of stoppage time were added, and worse was yet to come for the Blaugrana as the clock ran on even further.
In the 109th and 112th minutes, Villarreal netted two goals and probably ended Barca's hopes of retaining their La Liga title in the process.
The Catalans are now 10 points behind Real Madrid, and regional neighbours Girona can make their lead over them 11 if they beat Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Through another devastating loss, pressure continues to mount on Xavi, whose only chance of silverware this term now appears to be a highly unlikely lifting of the big-eared Champions League trophy.
"still" - Google News
January 28, 2024 at 02:41AM
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FC Barcelona Mounts Epic Three Goal Eleven-Minute Comeback And Still Loses To Villarreal Ending Title Hopes - Forbes
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