Lionel Messi went without a goal for a fifth straight La Liga match as Barcelona stumbled again on Saturday.
Messi, just like most of his teammates, was a picture of frustration as he failed to beat inspired goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco as Barcelona were held 1-1 at 10-man Alaves, the fourth successive La Liga game they have failed to win.
Messi's only league goal so far was a penalty he converted in the opening game and Ronaldo Koeman’s side are now eight points behind Real Madrid with a game in hand.
“It is not normal that we only have earned two of the last 12 possible points,” Koeman said. “You cannot complain about our attitude, but you can complain about our results. This is not the first time we have converted so few of our chances.”
While Pacheco saved a series of shots from Messi, Ansu Fati and Miralem Pjanic, a gaffe by Neto proved costly for Barcelona.
Playing since the start of the season for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Neto failed to control Gerard Pique's pass, and Luis Rioja poked the ball away before scoring in an open net.
Antoine Griezmann got his first goal of the season as Barcelona equalised in the 63rd minute after the hosts lost Jota Peleteiro to a second booking.
“We had lots of tries but there was always a leg or some body part of a rival in the way,” Koeman said.
