MADRID: Lionel Messi saved Barcelona from another embarrassing result by scoring an important goal in a 1-0 win over subordinate Levante while Real Sociedad returned to the La Liga stage early this morning.

Messi scored 14 minutes before the end of Barca’s loose performance at the Camp Nou which could not alleviate the fans’ worries after being beaten 3-0 by Juventus in the middle of the week.

Ronald Koeman’s side are still far behind in chasing the title, nine points behind Sociedad who snatched the top spot despite a 1-1 draw against Eibar.

Barcelona, ​​however, still have two hand games compared to the Basque club.

Atletico are now 26 points equal to Sociedad apart from two games in hand while Real Madrid are just three points behind leaders and play less than one game after beating their neighbor 2-0 yesterday.

“The team is doing well, they are giving maximum effort,” Koeman said.

“We still lack confidence in ourselves, in our game, but we have a lot of chances, and there is nothing I want to say about the character of the players in this match.”