Barcelona could not capitalize on the chance to reignite the La Liga title race and will finish the weekend still in second place and eleven points behind leaders Real Madrid with six games to go thanks to a 3-2 defeat in Sunday’s El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu. Barça played a solid match in the Spanish capital and were in front twice, but crucial defensive mistakes cost them all three points and their chase for the championship is now over.
FIRST HALF
Perhaps because of their exertions in Europe in midweek, both teams played the first half at a very slow pace, and the game lacked in true quality throughout the opening period.