La Liga Roundup: Barcelona fails to grow lead with stunning loss at Almeria

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Three days after exiting the Europa League, Barcelona had a uncommon setback within the home title race after dropping at Almeria 1-0 within the Spanish league on Sunday.

Barcelona headed to southern Spain a day after second-place Real Madrid was held 1-1 by Atletico Madrid and had the prospect so as to add to its seven-point lead on the high over its fierce rival. Instead, Barcelona flopped to its first-ever loss to Almeria of their sixteenth assembly.

The leaders had been unable to mount a reputable fightback regardless of having ample time to reply to striker El Bilal Toure’s objective within the twenty fourth minute.

Barcelona hadn’t misplaced in 13 league video games, with just one draw and 12 wins going again to its final defeat at Madrid in October.

The sudden defeat on Sunday got here after a 2-1 loss at Manchester United eradicated Barcelona from the Europa League _ after it had didn’t advance from the Champions League group section for a second consecutive 12 months. The exit from Europe’s second-tier competitors left Barcelona with the Spanish league and home cup titles to play for because it tries to make good on its funding in new gamers final summer season utilizing money it generated from the sale of future tv revenues and different property.

Barcelona will now need to regroup for Thursday’s go to to Real Madrid within the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.

Almeria moved out of the relegation zone after incomes one in all its greatest wins.