Messi scores, Barca still feels sorry for the referee
Lionel Messi scored from a free-kick, but Barca still had to accept a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas, thanks to controversial decisions from referee Mateu Lahoz.
Barca come to Las Palmas' Gran Canaria stadium with a battle ahead of them against Atletico - a team in very good form - to decide the La Liga title.
|
| Messi continues to impress from direct free kicks. |
Coach Valverde made some personnel adjustments to keep the best squad for this weekend's battle. Rakitic, Pique and Coutinho were kept on the bench. Only Jordi Alba was suspended.
Barca entered the game at a slow pace. Partly to avoid unfortunate collisions. Las Palmas chose a tough style of play, aiming to gain points to escape the relegation zone.
Without any highlights in the coordination, Barca opened the score in the 21st minute thanks to a set piece. Messi executed a beautiful direct free kick, defeating fellow countryman goalkeeper Chichizola.
This was also Messi's second consecutive free kick goal, and his fourth in La Liga this season. Interestingly, all four goals were scored in 2018.
|
| Referee Mateu Lahoz's mistakes cost Barca points. |
The match continued without any real highlights. Barca took the initiative to play slowly, while Las Palmas could not develop the ball.
The only notable point was the situation at the end of the first half, goalkeeper Chichizola deliberately handled the ball outside the penalty area to prevent a quick counter-attack that could have resulted in a goal for Barca, but the referee did not even blow the whistle. This should have been a direct red card.
Right at the beginning of the second half, referee Mateu Lahoz continued to be the main character, when he awarded Las Palmas a penalty. Calleri successfully kicked the penalty from the sky, equalizing 1-1.
The referee's intention to play slowly was ruined, forcing Barca to speed up. Coach Valverde brought Coutinho, Rakitic and Dembele onto the field to strengthen the attack.
Barca played almost half the field. But the La Liga leaders could not find space as Las Palmas quickly closed in. The yellow shirts almost crowded into their own penalty area.
Powerless in attack, Barca was forced to accept the 6th draw of the season in La Liga. Thus, the gap with Atletico is now only 5 points, and the "final" match this weekend will be very attractive.
|
Line-up:
Las Palmas:Chichizola; Aguirregaray, Ximo, Galvez, Dani Castellano; Etebo, Vicente; Halilovic, Tana, Jairo; Calleri.
Barca:Ter Stegen; Vidal, Vermaelen, Umtiti, Digne; Sergi Roberto, Paulinho, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez.
Goal: Calleri 48'/penalty - Messi 21'.
