IN SPORT.ES
Just when things were getting better, they got worse. Barcelona were in shambles against Alvaro Cervera’s well organised Cadiz.
They went behind in the first half, the sixth time this season the opponents have scored first, and Ronald Koeman’s Barca have never come back to win. They couldn’t even hold on to a draw here.
Alvaro Gimenez put Cadiz ahead after Oscar Mingueza’s error, the first bad one he has made since jumping up to the first team to fill in for the injured Gerard Pique.
Mingueza headed towards his own goal, forcing an outstanding save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but Alvaro was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Barcelona created only a couple of decent chances in the first half, with Martin Braithwaite driving a shot in at goal which was well saved.
Leo Messi looked sharp but few others did around him, with Antoine Griezmann back to his invisible worst.
In the second half even the Argentine began to fade, but Barcelona equalised when Pedro Alcala deflected Jordi Alba’s cross into his own net.
It should have been the turning point, but Clement Lenglet fell asleep and his slack play put Ter Stegen in a tight spot. The German was closed down quickly and Alvaro Negredo coolly finished after the keeper’s attempted clearance bounced off him.
Koeman threw all his forwards on as usual and it got Barca nowhere; they didn’t come close to levelling again bar a Messi shot that was blocked and Sergino Dest firing wide.
Barca are 12 points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid after 10 games. Astonishing.