Kathmandu: Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by Cádiz in the Spanish league on Thursday, extending their winless streak to three matches and adding pressure on coach Ronald Koeman.
Koeman a day earlier surprisingly read from a prepared statement in the pre-match news conference and downplayed the team’s chances of winning titles this season.
Barcelona were reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute. Barcelona are under pressure after Frankie de Jong was sent off for a red card. But Cadiz did not take advantage of that. Cadiz’s shot was saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Stegen. He became the man of the match.
This is the second consecutive draw of Barcelona after a bad result this season. In the previous match, Barcelona had drawn 1-1 with Granada at home.
Barcelona have not beaten Cadiz, who rose to the top division only last season. Last season, Barcelona lost 2–1 to Cadiz in the first game. In the next match, they were held to a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona is in seventh place with a draw. Barcelona have nine points from two games with two wins and three draws. Cadiz is in 14th place with 6 points. Top-ranked Real Madrid have 16 points from six games. Second-placed Atletico Madrid have 14 points and third-placed Real Sociedad have 13 points.
Sociedad climbed to third place with a 3-2 win over Granada on Saturday night. Aritz Illustondo scored twice and Michael Merino scored once in Sociedad’s victory. Granada’s German Sanchez and Luis Milla scored.
