Luis Enrique: Barça paid for errors
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique lamented the defensive errors made by his side as they blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 away at Sevilla on Saturday.
The Catalans looked well set for a tenth consecutive win in all competitions thanks to stunning strikes from Lionel Messi and Neymar inside the opening half hour. However, a rare mistake from Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo gave Sevilla a foothold in the game before half-time.
And the UEFA Europa League holders took full advantage when Gerard Pique gifted Jose Antonio Reyes possession eight minutes from time as Kevin Gameiro finished off a flowing move to secure a point.
"I thought in the first-half we were much the better team, we played very good football, controlled the game and caused them a lot of problems," Barça boss Luis Enrique said. "It was a shame that in the few minutes we lost control we conceded the goal that opened the game up. The second-half was much more even, both teams had their chances but neither was superior. We committed an error and we have paid for it."
The draw means that Barça now lead Real Madrid by just two points in the title race with seven matches remaining. Sevilla's fightback also ensured that they remain just four points adrift of third-placed Atletico Madrid in the fight for a return to the UEFA Champions League next season and extended their unbeaten run at home to 33 games.
"The point is what it is, we are still leaders and there is a week less to go," midfielder Andres Iniesta said. "We have to analyse what we did wrong and keep improving. We don't need to blow things out of proportion because of this draw. It is a difficult place to come and we played well for a large part of the game, but they took their chances."
Barça's focus now turns to a Champions League quarter-final meeting with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
"We always need to be positive and have the confidence that everything will be fine," added Iniesta. "We can't have any doubts in ourselves."