Every season, every team drops points, however, after narrowly missing out on the title this season, Barcelona will be remorseful for the points they conceded in some of the key matches that could have been avoided altogether. On the other hand, Real Madrid's three losses include away matches against Sevilla and Valencia as well as at home against Barcelona, matches that were hard to win or lose before the start of the season due to the strength of the opponents, and where the winners and losers were on the line.
Barcelona are unbeaten against the top 8 teams this season, with away wins against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Bilbao, Espanyol and Valencia. At the start of the season, Barcelona fans must have thought that they would be on their way to their seventh La Liga trophy in nine years after beating Haval on Sunday.
The fact is that Barcelona have lost when they shouldn't have, as exemplified by the Camp Nou clash against Alaves, while the home win against relegated Leganes was a fluke. The new manager will have to address Barcelona's consistency at key moments. Some attribute the problem to Enrique's rotation system, while others believe that Enrique has sent out a squad that is good enough to win these games. There is also the issue of desire to fight, at home against Grand Paris and away against Real Madrid, Barcelona exploded with amazing energy, yet in some other moments, they would fall off the wagon at crucial moments and make their own fans cry.
Of course, the requirement to keep spirits high in every game is a real challenge for Barcelona right now, especially after a decade of consecutive success.
Jerk has rounded up 5 regrettable moments that cost Barcelona the title this season...
Barcelona 1-2 Alaves, September 10, 2016
It was a loss that no one expected before the game, even with Enrique's extensive rotation. Promotion rivals Alaves unexpectedly took the lead, and Mathieu's equalizer in the second half made everyone think that Barcelona was back on track and would overtake the lead. However, what happened was that Ebay Gomes added another goal for the visitors, and after that, Barcelona substituted Messi, Suarez and, to no avail. It was Barcelona's only defeat at the Camp Nou all season, and Enrique was criticized for rotating too many starters.
Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid, December 3, 2016
Lionel Messi's celebration after scoring the killer goal against Real Madrid in April was a classic, but a second-minute goal in the first leg of their season opener also had an impact on the title, as Ramos' last-second header in the Nou Camp turned Barcelona's three-point lead into a one-point...
Betis 1-1 Barcelona, January 29, 2017
In a highly controversial game, a Barcelona goal that clearly crossed the goal line was ignored by the referee on duty. Alba's crashing shot from Vidal's cross was blocked from behind the goal line by Betis' Esamandi. Barca, who had been in a slump, hit some morale after this and equalized on Suarez's goal. However that one point could have been three.
La Coruna 2-1 Barcelona, March 12, 2017
Barcelona seemed to be in a bit of a daze after their stunning midweek comeback against Paris, and in their over-celebration they apparently forgot about the key task in the league. In their last two visits to the Estadio Riazor, Barca have scored 12 goals. This time, however, Enrique's men were surprised by a Lacao side revitalized by new manager Mel. At the time, Barcelona were not widely criticized for the loss because of the glow of the previous comeback. But now, it seems that the 3 points lost is really a pity.
April 8, 2017, 2-0 Barcelona
Griezmann's last-minute equalizer at the Bernabeu put Barcelona in control of the title once again, and winning the last seven games made them champions. Yet on the same weekend, they lost to Malaga. It was the second time this season that Barcelona were shut out by an Andalusian side. Real Madrid, on the other hand, finished with goals in all 38 games of the season. Barcelona woke up and took the remaining six games, but the death of the Stadio de la Rosaleda buried their title, and the first cut of the day came from Sandro Sanchez, who left the Camp Nou last summer.
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