Atletico Madrid now have the chance to increase their lead by four points with only two matches remaining after a befuddled Barcelona slipped up for the second match consecutively in LaLiga. Their title hopes are now seriously jeopardized after being held to a 3-3 draw at Levante on Tuesday despite having led 2-0.
The Catalans have unfathomably dropped two more crucial points at the heels of a crucial draw against leaders Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Barcelona travelled to the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia with optimistic hopes after title rivals Real Madrid failed to seize top ranking due to a draw against Sevilla on Sunday. In like fashion, Barcelona also failed to take advantage of the situation despite leading 2-0 in the first half.
Talisman Lionel Messi and Pedri scored two goals for Barcelona before Levante leveled with a pair of goals of their own at the restart. Ousmane Dembele then cranked up a gear to reclaim the Barcelona lead in the 64th minute. However, the Catalans couldn’t hold on to their advantage as substitute Sergio Leon found the late equaliser for the hosts.
The draw means that Barcelona carelessly squandered four points in their last two games that could be the crucial difference between them and Atletico Madrid if the leaders were to win against Real Sociedad on Wednesday. It also means that Real Madrid has the opportunity to reclaim the second spot on the table.
Barca coach Ronald Koeman has now suddenly gone meek and admitted that he now feels he is in peril of facing the sack after the two consecutive draws at this crucial late juncture in the season when victories matter most. Barcelona were effective in the first half but Levante stirred from their slumber and dominated the second half. In the end, the 3-3 draw was all that Barcelona could scrape up, and they may very well have handed Atletico Madrid the title.
Regardless, as was evident in the past week, anything can still happen and any of the top four teams still have a chance to lift the trophy. Players are visibly exhausted besides many being injured.
It’s left to be seen who will be able to break out of the huddle and emerge victorious in one of the most closely contested La Liga seasons in recent history.