Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was left shocked as his team’s disappointing run of form continued with a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad.
The Catalan giants had to rely on a Lionel Messi equaliser to salvage a point in San Sebastian, Enrique admitting his players were well below the high standards he expects of them.
And the club’s former midfielder argued Barcelona were lucky to return home with a point, even describing his team’s display as ‘disastrous’.
‘To finish 1-1 is almost a miracle. Winning would have been unfair and I have to congratulate Real,’ a clearly frustrated Enrique told Barcelona’s TV station.
‘We couldn’t even string five passes together. Without the ball, we were disastrous.’
Barcelona have been held to draws in their last two league encounters, Enrique’s men now six points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga.
At Anoeta on Sunday evening they were well below par once again, Willian Jose deservedly putting Sociedad ahead on home soil.
Messi equalised for the visitors just before the hour mark, but Sociedad deserved more than the draw they had to settle for. Former Arsenal man Carlos Vela struck the woodwork on two separate occasions while Juanmi had an effort ruled out.
Enrique, well aware his team hadn’t been at the races, added: ‘They pressed us with six players and we didn’t find the middle-range and long-range passes.
‘We didn’t even win five per cent of the duels. If you don’t match up in this type of duel and you concede the advantage, there’s little you can do.
‘In the second half we improved a little but nowhere near enough. We drew the game because of an isolated bit of play between Messi and Neymar.
‘We don’t deserve to take a point back to Barcelona.’
Barcelona face a trip to Hercules in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday before hosting Real in the first El Clasico of the season on Saturday.
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