Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde admitted that his side lost control during their topsy-turvy 4-4 La Liga draw away at Villarreal on Tuesday night.
La Blaugrana were saved from embarrassment as Lionel Messi came off the bench to make it 4-3 on full time, before Luis Suarez netted an equaliser in added time.
However Barcelona's lead at the top has been cut to eight points, and they face second place Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp this weekend, and the former Athletic Bilbao was clear in his frustration.
"It was a crazy game and it proves how difficult it is to win a Championship.
"We have to learn from today.
"We lost control of the game when it was in our hands in the first half."
Valverde opted to rest defender Gerard Pique, and replacement Samuel Umtiti struggled against a pacy Villarreal attack, and his manager agreed it was a tough night for his defenders.
"We allowed them too much space.
"We let them run at us and in behind us and that caused problems."
