Barcelona’s bid for a fifth La Liga title in six years suffered a surprise setback when they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at lowly Real Valladolid yesterday and opened the door for Real Madrid to pull away at the top.

It was one of Barca’s worst performances of the season, particularly during a woeful first half when Fausto Rossi scored for the home side, and the champions squandered a chance to move two points clear of Real at the top.

Real, who host Barca for the ‘Clasico’ in two weeks, can stretch their lead over their arch rivals to four points with a win at home to Levante today.

Barca’s players, most of whom were in international action midweek, looked jaded and short on inspiration and Lionel Messi and Neymar wasted a host of opportunities in a lethargic display marked by uncharacteristic sloppiness.

“We failed to create going forward, in our passing and in our mobility and that’s why we did not get the desired result,” coach Gerardo Martino said.

“We are finding it hard to put together a complete game in every aspect of play, a perfect game,” added the Argentine, who is in his first term in charge after taking over from the ailing Tito Vilanova.

“As long as we still have a chance mathematically we will keep fighting for the league.”

Barca’s latest setback follows last month’s defeats at home to Valencia and away at Real Sociedad and will give Manchester City hope they can overturn a 2-0 deficit in Wednesday’s Champions League last 16, second leg at the Nou Camp.

“We cannot draw any positive conclusions, we just have to try and improve before Wednesday,” midfielder Xavi told reporters.