Barcelona suffered a huge blow
Madrid, Jan. 29: Barcelona’s La Liga title challenge suffered a huge blow as the Spanish champions were controversially held 1-1 at Real Betis despite Luis Suarez’s last minute equaliser on Sunday.
Aleix Alegria gave Betis the lead their dominance deserved 15 minutes from time when he bundled home from close range after Marc-Andre ter Stegen flapped at a corner.
However, Barca were rightly infuriated seconds later as the ball clearly crossed the Betis goalline, but no goal was given by referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez.
Suarez did at least rescue a point in the dying seconds, though, as he slotted home Lionel Messi’s through ball for his 21st goal of the season.
Ultimately Barca boss Luis Enrique paid the price for again heavily rotating his side with Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal, first leg at Atletico Madrid in mind.
Enrique made six changes in all, including three of the back four and Betis took advantage with a bright start.
Ter Stegen was forced into saves from Ruben Castro and Dani Ceballos early on.
However, Barca arguably had the best chance of the first-half when Antonio Adan flew off his line to deny Neymar from another scintillating Messi pass.
Enrique made all three of his substitutions early in the second period, but Barca were still struggling to gain a foothold under Betis’ intense pressing.
Ceballos saw a dipping long-range effort come back off the bar before Castro struck the post.
The German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer had a moment to forget for the opening goal as he failed to get a good connection on an attempted punch under pressure from two Betis players and the ball fell kindly for Alegria to tap home.