Barcelona’s title defence took a blow on Saturday when it stumbled to a 1-0 defeat at Valladolid, missing the chance to move to the top of the Spanish standings.
Lionel Messi was the only Barcelona player who looked sharp, while his teammates were plagued by uncharacteristic passing errors and again proved brittle at the back.
Valladolid outplayed the defending champions early and midfielder Fausto Rossi netted the winner in the 17th minute.
The relegation-threatened side then did well to protect its lead against the star-studded visitors for the remaining hour.
Barcelona has won just two of its last seven away league games, and leader, Real Madrid, can increase its one-point advantage over the Catalan club when it hosts Levante on Sunday.
Barcelona lacked its regular cool composure from the start and failed to dominate possession until it was trailing in the score.
Lionel Messi’s solo effort saved by goalkeeper Diego Marino in the 10th was all the visitors could muster in the first half hour.
Barcelona then improved and Messi and Cesc Fabregas forced Marino to make three more saves.
Neymar was later substituted by Cristian Tello, but after another Messi free kick that safely sailed into Marino’s arms, Valladolid substitute, Oscar Gonzalez, almost scored on a counterattack.
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