Lionel Messi scored his 700th career goal but Barcelona suffered another blow to their La Liga title hopes after a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Messi chipped in a penalty to reach another astonishing milestone at Camp Nou but twice Atletico hit back with spot-kicks of their own, Saul Niguez converting both after Barca took an early lead through Diego Costa’s own goal.
The result gives Real Madrid the chance to move four points clear at the top of the table if they can overcome Getafe at home on Wednesday, a formidable lead with five games left.
Atletico stay third, two points ahead of Sevilla, who won 3-0 at Leganes.
With a superior head-to-head, it would take a dramatic capitulation for Real Madrid not to lift the trophy from here but there is no guarantee Barcelona can finish strongly enough even to create pressure.
This was their third draw in four matches and with suggestions of disharmony between the players and coaching staff, the future of coach Quique Setien looks bleak too.
“From the dressing room I feel supported, yes,” he said. “And regarding the meeting with the board, I will not say what was said in that.”
Setien was also asked about his job on Monday and had to play down the significance of a frank exchange of views in the dressing room following Saturday’s draw at Celta Vigo.
Messi had also caused a stir by appearing to ignore Setien’s assistant Eder Sarabia during a water break at Vigo and on Tuesday it was impossible to ignore the contrast with Atletico’s players, who huddled around Diego Simeone while 50 metres away Setien stood alone.
At full-time, Setien stared into space with the look of a coach that is running out of time but he had taken bold decisions, leaving 120-million-euro signing Antoine Griezmann on the bench and handing another start to 20-year-old Riqui Puig.
“It’s true that taking him out of the team like that is hard for a player of his level but the circumstances forced me to do it,” said Setien of Griezmann. “Tomorrow I will speak to him, not to apologise, but it is a decision he has to understand.”
AFP
