Barcelona coach Quique Setien has admitted that LaLiga is slipping away for his side after Tuesday's 2-2 draw at home to Atletico Madrid.
The champions were held by Diego Simeone's side in an entertaining encounter at Camp Nou and their third draw in four games will leave them four points behind Real Madrid if Los Blancos beat Getafe on Thursday.
"It's a shame," Setien said after the match. "It's getting harder all the time. We are getting farther away from the title, but we have to keep working."
Asked if he was pleased with his team's play, he said: "Fairly happy. It's not easy to play against Atletico.
"They are disciplined and physically strong. Defensively too. But I'm happy with my players."
Setien left Antoine Griezmann on the bench until the final seconds, when the French forward replaced Arturo Vidal.
"I didn't do it before because the ones who were on were doing well. Riqui [Puig], [Leo] Messi, [Luis] Suarez.
"It's not easy to find a place without destabilising the team."
And asked about his future after a difficult week at the club, he said: "I don't feel questioned."
