Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets admits their hopes of retaining the La Liga title have been diminished by defeat at Valladolid.

Barca’s loss was their second straight away defeat – after losing 3-1 at Real Sociedad a fortnight ago – and Real Madrid can climb four points clear of their rivals if they manage to beat Levante at the Bernabeu on Sunday evening. 

“We did not have the right attitude,” the midfielder said. “We made things very difficult for ourselves. We did not show up in the way we needed to if we wanted to win.

“The first half was very poor. In the second half we tried but we just could not score. It’s a very tough loss. We’re now in a difficult situation in La Liga.”

However, Brazilian full-back Dani Alves insists the Blaugrana should not be written off despite a tough end to the season with fixtures at Real Madrid and Villarreal and games at the Nou Camp against Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid on the agenda.

“We will fight as long as there’s a chance of us winning La Liga,” Alves said. “Those who cannot trust in us should get off the boat.

“Our feelings are like those of having lost La Liga in the dressing room. It impacts our chances very negatively, but we will continue to fight.

“Valladolid simply took advantage of their chances and we did not get any luck.”