BARCELONA were once again left cursing lady luck after dropping points at home for the first time this season.
In last weekend's meeting of the top two, Valencia escaped with a 1-1 draw after Lionel Messi's effort had inexplicably been adjudged to not have crossed the line.
And there were further causes for complaint here as Luis Suarez had a legitimate goal disallowed for offside. And their luck was all but out as Celta Vigo's second came as Iago Aspas took advantage of an unfortunate hamstring pull for Samuel Umtiti.
However, they should be pointing the finger at their misfiring strikers — and defenders — with many wasteful when presented with great opportunities.
Former Barcelona assistant was brave in his selection at the Nou Camp as he started with two up front for the Galicians. And his tactics worked perfectly with both strikers getting on the scoresheet — and setting each other up.
Aspas, who was a menace for Barca all game broke from the halfway line after Gerard Pique's failed attempt to play him offside. The former Liverpool man coolly laid it off for strike partner Maxi Gomez, whose effort sensationally saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen. However, the rebound fell kindly to Aspas, who finished off. But the lead lasted for less than two minutes as Barcelona went down the other end and Messi ended his mini goal drought to get the leaders level. And the game's biggest talking point came moments later when Suarez raced through to put his side 2-1 ahead — only to be incorrectly flagged up for offside.
Yet, the Uruguayan was able to make amends after Paulinho had become the first Barcelona played to miss a fantastic opportunity.
Messi and Jordi Alba linked up well to tee Suarez up and eventually give his side the lead on 63 minutes.
It looked the La Liga leaders, who had won every home game so far, would cruise to victory, but were caught out seven minutes later. Aspas, running down the right wing, was being chased by Umtiti, who pulled up holding his hamstring.
The Celta man carried on and reached the Barcelona box and laid it back for Gomez, who showed great composure to slot it past Pique on the line.
But the classy central defender was presented with the perfect opportunity to put his side back ahead following a neatly-worked free-kick. Messi played Pique in, who dummied the goalkeeper to tee himself up — only to hit the outside the post.
The five-time Ballon d'Or-winner was next to miss when he should have scored before Pace Alcacer headed over when presented with a good opportunity.
A point temporarily extends Barca's lead over Real Madrid to nine, but that could go down to six when Los Blancos travel to Athletic Bilbao tonight.
Second-place Valencia are just five points behind with a game in hand.
From The Sun
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