Xavi concedes Barcelona’s title hopes have been extinguished after Angel Lafita’s stoppage time equaliser earned Getafe a point at the Nou Camp and left the Blaugrana trailing leaders Atletico Madrid by three points.
The hosts seemed to be heading for victory thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez, but poor finishing left the door open for Getafe who took full advantage, leaving Barca with the knowledge that Atletico only need four points from their remaining three games to ensure finishing above the Catalan club.
One of those matches is against Barcelona, on the final day of the season, but with a trip to Levante today and Malaga at the Vicente Calderon next Sunday, it would take a remarkable turnaround in form by the capital club for that game in Catalonia on May 18 to have any significance.
Veteran midfielder Xavi said: “We feel bad because we didn’t live up to expectations this season. Now we have to be self-critical and start all over again next season. We must change many, many things.”
Barcelona coach Tata Martino, whose departure from the club is now a matter of when rather than if, added: “It is not a desired end and not a good season. Neither for me nor for the club. It has been a very difficult season.
“I think it is the responsibility of the coach, who leads the team.”
There was a poignant minute’s silence as the Nou Camp paid tribute to Tito Vilanova who died last month after a lengthy cancer battle. Barca players also wore shirts bearing the phrase ‘Tito, per sempre etern’ (Tito, forever eternal).
After a slow start to the game with lots of Barca possession but few chances, the breakthrough came midway through the opening period from a predictable source as Dani Alves surged down the right wing and cut back a low cross into the path of Messi, who confidently stroked home a first-time left-footed strike high into the net.
A second goal nearly followed when Messi opened up the visiting defence with a beautiful through ball to Pedro, who had his low angled strike blocked by the legs of the onrushing Cesar.
Getafe had barely featured as an attacking force but had an opportunity after half an hour when Adriano fouled Lafita on the edge of the box. Pablo Sarabia wasted the chance, though, curling his free-kick harmlessly over the bar.
Another set piece then led to a controversial leveller as Lafita turned to drill a low shot past Jose Manuel Pinto. At first the goal looked like being ruled out when the linesman raised his flag – presumably for a handball by Lafita as he controlled – but referee Jose Antonio Teixeira overruled his decision and the goal stood.
Sanchez squandered a chance to restore the lead with the last touch of the first half, dragging a low effort wide of the far post, and the second period started with more Barca pressure as Messi had a fierce long-range strike saved by Cesar. Alves then delivered an outstanding cross which Sanchez somehow chested against the bar before Pedro had a shot repelled by Cesar after a fine Messi dribble.
Barca then lost their way until substitute Cesc Fabregas inspired the second goal, advancing down the right and delivering a low cross which eventually fell to Sanchez, who drilled home his 18th league goal of the season.
Fabregas fired over the top, Alves headed wide from a Messi cross and the Argentine lofted a lob onto the roof of the net as Barca looked to tie up the points, but Getafe nearly equalised when Pinto was forced into a smart save from Sarabia’s well-struck volley.
And Barca paid the price for their failure to take their chances when Getafe gave their relegation battle a huge boost as Jaime Gavilan escaped down the left and crossed for Lafita to powerfully head home.
