Match ends, Elche 0, Barcelona 0.
ElcheElche0BarcelonaBarcelona0
Barcelona set up a final-day La Liga title showdown with Atletico Madrid next Saturday after drawing with Elche.
It keeps Barca three points behind Atletico going into that game at the Nou Camp, where victory would see Barca win the title on head-to-head record.
However, a Barca win over Elche would not have changed anything in terms of what was needed on the final day.
The visitors had the best chances with Andres Iniesta hitting a fantastic volley which was saved by Manu.
Alexis Sanchez, Pedro and Lionel Messi all had opportunities before Adriano curled just wide late on for Barcelona.
Elche, whose point has secured their safety from relegation, failed to test Barcelona keeper Jose Manuel Pinto in the 90 minutes.
Had Atletico beaten Malaga in their match which was being played at the same time, Diego Simeone's team would have won the title. However, that match finished 1-1.
Last weekend, Barca's title hopes looked over after drawing 2-2 with Getafe to leave them three points off Atletico, with the club rumoured to be in talks with Luis Enrique about replacing head coach Gerardo Martino.
However a lot can change in eight days and they are now favourites to win the league in Martino's first season in charge.
Barca and Atletico drew 0-0 in their previous league meeting in January.
Line-ups
Elche
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Herrera Yagüe
- 2Suárez
- 23CismaBooked at 42mins
- 24C Sánchez
- 4Rodríguez Lombán
- 18PelegrínBooked at 28mins
- 15GilSubstituted forBoakyeat 79'minutes
- 6Pérez MinguezBooked at 65mins
- 11CorominasSubstituted forChaves de la Torreat 89'minutes
- 17MárquezSubstituted forRiveraat 75'minutes
- 25Mendes Rodrigues
Substitutes
- 5Rivera
- 8Mantecón
- 9Boakye
- 16Chaves de la Torre
- 21Albácar Gallego
- 28Herrera
- 31Álvarez Fernández
Barcelona
Formation 4-3-3
- 13Pinto Colorado
- 22Alves da Silva
- 21Correia
- 16Busquets
- 15Bartra
- 14MascheranoBooked at 55mins
- 4FábregasSubstituted forHernándezat 81'minutes
- 8Iniesta
- 10Messi
- 9SánchezBooked at 50mins
- 7PedroBooked at 62minsSubstituted forTelloat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Montoya
- 6Hernández
- 17Song
- 19Afellay
- 20Tello
- 24Roberto Carnicer
- 25Olazábal Paredes
- Referee:
- Fernando Teixeira Vitienes
- Attendance:
- 33,069
Match Stats
Home TeamElcheAway TeamBarcelona
- Possession
- Home31%
- Away69%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away20
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away6
- Corners
- Home2
- Away11
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Elche 0, Barcelona 0.
Post update
Attempt saved. Xavi (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
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Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Carlos Sánchez (Elche).
Substitution
Substitution, Elche. Fidel replaces Coro.
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Corner, Barcelona. Conceded by Domingo Cisma.
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Attempt blocked. Dani Alves (Barcelona) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrés Iniesta with a headed pass.
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Cristian Tello (Barcelona) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Damián Suárez (Elche).
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Attempt blocked. Cristian Tello (Barcelona) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrés Iniesta.
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Foul by Dani Alves (Barcelona).
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Garry Mendes Rodrigues (Elche) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Attempt missed. Adriano (Barcelona) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Cristian Tello.
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Foul by Adriano (Barcelona).
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Richmond Boakye (Elche) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Barcelona. Xavi replaces Francesc Fábregas.
Post update
Foul by Marc Bartra (Barcelona).
Post update
Alberto Rivera (Elche) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Garry Mendes Rodrigues (Elche) left footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Richmond Boakye following a fast break.
