Barca cling on to fading title hopes
Lionel Messi made it 20 assists for the season in Barcelona's stodgy 1-0 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday, even as his team's La Liga challenge appears almost over.
Messi teed up Arturo Vidal's winner at Jose Zorilla to become the first player to provide 20 assists in Spain's top flight since Xavi Hernandez in 2009. Yet even as Barca's turbulent domestic campaign draws to a close, Messi continues to shine.
"It was a very difficult game against a team who know how to play well and did just that today. The hot conditions also complicated things for us but I'm pleased we won," said match-winner Vidal. "We knew that we'd have to work very hard and wouldn't be able to maintain our pace throughout, we know we want to improve but we've kept ourselves in the title race that's the important thing."
The win over Valladolid kept Barca in the title race, although leaders Real can extend their lead at the top back to four points if they beat Granada on Sunday.
If they beat Granada, Madrid will win La Liga by prevailing at home to Villarreal on Thursday, regardless of Barcelona's results.
Overall, Madrid need only five points from their remaining three matches to secure their third La Liga title in eight years.
"We are doing things that deserve more than where we are," said Barca coach Quique Setien. "To win La Liga, I don't know, because our rival is winning everything."
Luis Suarez started on the bench but replaced Antoine Griezmann at half-time, Later it was revealed that Griezmann is set to miss his side's final two La Liga games after sustaining a thigh injury during the match.
As Barcelona's title challenge has wilted, Setien's position has come under scrutiny too, But he was bold against Valladolid, deploying a 3-5-2 formation, with Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba as wing-backs and the versatile Sergi Roberto dropping into the back three.
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