Barca’s pretension counterclaim suffers another blow
Barcelona’s Brazilian brazen Neymar gestures during a Spanish joining football compare Real Betis vs FC Barcelona during a Benito Villamarin track in Sevilla on Jan 29, 2017.
PHOTO: AFP
MADRID: Barcelona’s La Liga pretension plea suffered a outrageous blow as a Spanish champions were controversially hold 1-1 during Real Betis notwithstanding Luis Suarez’s final notation equaliser on Sunday.
Aleix Alegria gave Betis a lead their prevalence deserved 15 mins from time when he bundled home from tighten operation after Marc-Andre ter Stegen flapped during a corner.
However, Barca were righteously murderous seconds after as a round clearly crossed a Betis goalline, yet no idea was given by arbitrate Alejandro Jose Hernandez.
Barcelona finish Sociedad curse, Atletico journey in Copa del Rey
Suarez did during slightest rescue a indicate in a failing seconds, though, as he slotted home Lionel Messi’s by round for his 21st idea of a season.
Barca pierce above Sevilla into second on idea difference, yet sojourn a indicate adrift of Real Madrid, who have dual games in hand, a initial of that comes during home to Real Sociedad after on Sunday, since Sevilla are also in movement after during Espanyol.
Barca trainer Luis Enrique paid a cost for again heavily rotating his side with Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final, initial leg during Atletico Madrid in mind.
Barcelona, Sevilla say vigour on Real Madrid
Enrique done 6 changes in all, including 3 of a behind 4 and Betis took advantage with a splendid start.
Ter Stegen was forced into saves from Ruben Castro and Dani Ceballos early on.
However, Barca arguably had a best possibility of a first-half when Antonio Adan flew off his line to repudiate Neymar from another scintillating Messi pass.
Enrique done all 3 of his substitutions early in a second period, yet Barca were still struggling to benefit a foothold underneath Betis’ heated pressing.
Ceballos saw a dipping long-range bid come behind off a bar before Castro struck a post with Ter Stegen beaten during his nearby post.
The German goalkeeper had a impulse to forget for a opening idea as he unsuccessful to get a good tie on an attempted punch underneath vigour from dual Betis players and a round fell pleasantly for Alegria to daub home.
Conceding seemed to arise Barca from their doze and they were doubly denied by Hernandez seconds after as Neymar went down inside a area and a round ricocheted towards a Betis goal.
Replays showed a round clearly went over a line before Alissa Mandi cleared, yet La Liga’s refusal to exercise idea line record due to pricing fears cost Barca dearly as no idea was given.
Another idea line clearway prevented Aleix Vidal’s deflected cranky levelling for Barca moments later.
Betis should have hermetic a 3 points when Castro pennyless transparent on idea 8 mins from time, yet Ter Stegen redeemed himself with a excellent save.
And that skip valid essential as Messi finally found a space to trip a pass by a Betis counterclaim and Suarez dispatched a round into a distant corner.
Article source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/1310635/barcas-title-defence-suffers-another-blow/