It was three points but it wasn’t quite enough
Barcelona went into the final game with very few options. If Real Madrid won or drew against Malaga, the title would go to los Blancos. If Barca lost or drew, then their title hopes would also be over. In fact the only scenario that saw Luis Enrique’s side emerge as champions was Madrid losing and the Blaugrana winning.
A long shot certainly, but could Enrique and his side deliver a shock on the final day? Was it possible for them to retain the title?
First Half:
Kick off
Barcelona named a strong team but without Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano handed Marlon Santos a start. While the hosts were forced to defend in the opening minutes, Real Madrid had already taken the lead at La Rosaleda through Cristiano Ronaldo.
If an early goal for Madrid was bad, things got even worse for Barca as Eibar stunned the Camp Nou by taking the lead through Takashi Inui who put the ball past Ter Stegen with a composed finish from a beautiful delivery.
0-1, Eibar.
Barcelona countered almost instantly as Luis Suarez found himself one-on-one with only the goalkeeper to beat but somehow contrived to put the ball wide. An incredible chance with an incredibly disappointing finish.
The early goal had given Barcelona a renewed urgency in attack and half-chances began to appear. Suarez went close, after a pull-back to the penalty spot, but was rightly called offside. The Uruguayan would try again shortly afterwards, but his shot was weak, and deflected with ease. The press from Eibar had worn off within 15 minutes and apart from a couple of poor chances, Barcelona had taken control of the game, but they needed a goal, and they needed it fast.
Elsewhere, Malaga were trying their best as they pushed men into the final third, hoping for a miracle. At Camp Nou, Messi and Neymar were beginning to link beautifully with some slick one-twos. If the Catalans kept this kind of play up, there would surely find that equaliser, wouldn’t they?
The ball spent almost all its time in the opposition half, at the feet of a Blaugrana shirt. However, with time running out in the first half, the pressure was on Barca to score. Suarez nearly did that, as he had another brilliant chance to equalise, only for the keeper to draw a magnificent save from close range. While Yoel was channelling his inner Buffon and denying Barca at the Camp Nou, Malaga man Kameni was doing the same to keep Barca's title hopes alive. Former Barcelona man Sandro Ramirez was also doing his bit, nearly scoring as he struck the crossbar in the 40th minute against Real Madrid.
Barcelona however, were not quite themselves and they nearly conceded, after Pena outfoxed the defence and get a shot away. As the referee called for half-time, it was clear that the hosts needed to improve if they were to take all three points from the game.
Second Half:
Barcelona returned for the second half with a switch as Sergi Roberto was replaced by Andre Gomes. Perhaps the Portuguese was a controversial choice, but Roberto seemed to have a knock and Barca needed inspiration from somewhere, anywhere.
Andres Iniesta had a pop on goal, as the captain struck after a clever pull-back from Neymar but could not beat the goalkeeper.Messi may have a magical left foot but his infamous right foot did him no favours as the Argentine managed to put his shot wide, from what was the ultimate scoring opportunity set up by Suarez.
However, by this time Real Madrid had scored their second of the night and as the table stood, it wouldn't matter how many Barcelona got, the title was firmly in their rivals’ grasp and Enrique’s side were left hoping for a miracle.
However, the miracle never arrived, and indeed the evening got even worse as Inui scored his second of the game from the left edge of the box with a thundering half volley right under the crossbar, past Ter Stegen.
0-2, Malaga.
Barcelona’s response was almost instant and badly needed, as they managed to force an own goal. Neymar's attempt ricocheted off a defender to reduce Barca's deficit and give the hosts hope.
1-2, with Malaga still leading.
Barcelona had managed to create a number of chances but their finishing had let them down all night long, and to be realistic, there seemed little chance that the Catalans would suddenly switch gears and start scoring at will.
Barca however, were afforded a lifeline as Jordi Alba tumbled in the box, and the referee somehow managed to award a penalty, despite there being no-one near the defender when he fell.
Messi took the shot, but the Argentine's shot was saved by an exceptional stop from Yoel. The game was still firmly in Eibar's hands until Suarez equalised with a perfectly legitimate goal as the striker drove home after a header from Paco Alcacer who had replaced Ivan Rakitic moments before.
2-2.
As if sensing victory now, Neymar raced forward and won a penalty and a dismissal as Ander Capa was shown a second yellow after challenging the Brazilian. Up stepped Messi once more, but this time, the Argentine didn't miss, just. Finally, Barca were ahead.
3-2, Barcelona.
The confidence was starting to show now in the way the Catalans passed the ball around and although Madrid were still winning, Barca were at least doing their bit.
The Blaugrana managed to capitalise on the mistakes of Eibar, but the away side were not ones to go down without a fight. Eibar continued to push men forward despite being a goal down with 10 men.
After a sensational save from Yoel to deny Suarez yet again, Messi put the ball behind the keeper after a sensational run, to score his 37th goal of the campaign, his 200th Liga goal at Camp Nou.
4-2, Barcelona.
The full whistle blew, giving Barcelona victory as they finished the season with 90 points to end La Liga in second place.
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A disappointing night indeed but Barcelona did their bit to finish the season in the best possible manner and there is only one way left for the Catalans, and that is forwards.
Until next time...Onwards and upwards!
Visca el Barca!
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