Barca title hopes in tatters after Getafe draw

MADRID, May 4 (AFP): Barcelona's slim hopes of retaining their La Liga title were all but ended after they were held 2-2 at home by struggling Getafe Saturday.
The Catalans now trail leaders Atletico Madrid by three points with just two games remaining and having played a game more, whilst Real Madrid are just three points further back but with two games in hand over Barca.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a fine finish, but Barca were pegged pack when Angel Lafita levelled just before half-time.
The Spanish champions improved going forward after the break and deservedly went back in front when Alexis Sanchez drilled the ball home 23 minutes from time, but they were stunned in injury time as Lafita rose to head home Jaime Gavilan's cross to secure a vital point for Getafe.
"We have committed errors that are unbecoming of the professionals we are," Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets told Canal Plus.
"There are two games remaining and we will try to play them with honour because the league is practically lost. We hope that next season will be different."
Coach Gerardo Martino also admitted that it was unacceptable to relinquish their title by dropping points at home to a side fighting relegation. "In reality it was not what we expected," said the Argentine.
"There was a chance that we wouldn't achieve our objective in winning the league, but not because we didn't win our games. Today we committed some errors and it has cost us."
A video tribute was played along with a minute's silence to mark the death of former Barca coach Tito Vilanova before kick-off in the Catalans' first home game since he passed away at the age of 45 on April 25.
Possibly affected by that emotional start to the game, the hosts began slowly but went in front with their first clear opening on 23 minutes when Messi swept home Dani Alves's low cross to register his 41st goal of the season.