Lionel Messi admitted after the 2-2 draw with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou that the game could have gone either way.
The Argentine scored both Barca’s goals in a thrilling encounter and acknowledged that there is still a long way to go in La Liga, although he was disappointed not to have won.
“We knew it would be tough because we know Madrid are a great team and have lots of good players,” he told assembled media.
“We are still eight points ahead of them but there is a long way to go. Of course, we would have preferred to have won the game but it wasn’t easy.
“On the other hand, we could have lost it and then we’d have been five points clear of them, so it’s not a bad result.
“It’s a long season and it’s only just begun. We could have won the match but they could have won it too.”
Messi also conceded that the gap between the sides is getting narrower every year.
“There is hardly any difference between us now and each year it’s getting smaller. These games are incredible to play in and everyone loves nights like these.
“However, luck wasn’t on our side this time. We had a lot of key players missing through injury and those that came in played in positions they are not accustomed to, but they all performed brilliantly.
“This group of players always pull through in spite of everything.”
