LaLiga champions Barca held at Valencia
LaLiga champions Barcelona dropped more points in the Spanish title race in a tense 1-1 draw at Valencia on Saturday.
Xavi Hernandez's side moved third, a point clear of Atletico Madrid, but trail Real Madrid by four and shock leaders Girona by six, having played one game more than all three sides.
Atletico fell 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao earlier on Saturday but the Catalans could not take full advantage in an entertaining clash on the east coast.
Joao Felix sent Barcelona ahead in the second half after a slick team move, but Hugo Guillamon's fine strike pegged them back.
Barcelona have won just one of their last four league matches, including being ripped apart by a rampant Girona last weekend at home.
They were further shaken by a midweek Champions League defeat by Belgian minnows Royal Antwerp, which created further questions over Xavi's management even though the Catalans were already through to the last 16.
In the subsequent days, club figures, including president Joan Laporta, showed him support, ahead of what Spanish media billed a 'final' at Valencia's rowdy Mestalla stadium.
"Anything that wasn't three points was a tough blow for us," Barca midfielder Pedri told Movistar.
"We did a lot of things right, but we didn't get the goal – I think our play was a lot better than in the Girona game, where we weren't good."
The Spain international said the team were backing Xavi.
"We're with the coach, these aren't good moments for any of us... we have to be united to turn it around."
As in Barca's defeat by Girona, the game flowed from end-to-end, a consequence of the champions starting without a pure holding midfielder.
Inaki Pena made a good early save to deny Roman Yaremchuk, while Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili stopped an
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