Barcelona’s poor form continued after a 1-0 loss against Real Sociedad during the weekend. The result opened the la Liga title race in dramatic fashion.

The title race looked to be done and dusted only a few weeks ago when Barcelona had a 10 point advantage over Real Madrid. Now, the deficit has been reduced to just four points after back-to-back defeats for the reigning European champions. The first wobble for Barcelona started with the 2-2 draw with Villarreal towards the end of March. Since then, they have managed just one victory – in the Champions League against 10 men Atletico Madrid – and have allowed Atletico and Real Madrid to narrow the deficit.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta claims that the team cannot afford to drop any more points in the remaining six matches. The latest loss against Real Sociedad may not come as a surprise given that Barcelona have failed to win at the Anoeta since 2007. For the next match, the focus will be on the Champions League, as Barcelona hope to cling onto the 2-1 aggregate going to the Vicente Calderon to face Atletico. Diego Simeone’s team were much better in the first leg before going down to 10 men. They will want to use the advantage of an away goal and progress to the semifinals.

"In the first half we did not create as we did in the second. With the scoreboard against you, it is always more difficult. We had chances but didn't take them. We must keep going, though.We had this cushion to allow ourselves some mistakes, and now we have almost committed all we can. We are playing for a lot. And sometimes it is difficult to explain a defeat with so much on the line. But it has happened,” said Iniesta after the loss to Real Sociedad.