Tata Martino feels Barcelona did enough to beat Granada on Saturday and blamed the 1-0 reverse on a lack of effectiveness.
Yacine Brahimi’s first-half goal dispatched the Catalans and despite having the overwhelming majority of the ball, Barca were unable to claim an equaliser.
The result leaves La Blaugrana third in the table after Real Madrid’s win over Almeria, while leaders Atletico Madrid play on Sunday.
“It’s clear that the League doesn’t depend on us,” Marca reports Martino as admitting at a post-match Press conference.
“But I have no reason to criticise my team. We have tried in every way and we had chances.
“It didn’t go for us today and we must realise we haven’t been fine in our finishing.
“Barca clearly should have won. The result is a shock that happens very occasionally in football.
“It would have been normal to win by four or five goals. There are matches you don’t deserve to win and effectiveness is what counts.”
Barca next play Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, a game Martino says is very important to their season.
“After two defeats in the Champions League and the League the dressing room feels something important is missing,” the Argentine added.
“Wednesday’s game doesn’t depend on this. It’s a final and we must go to win.
“I can’t feel good after these results but we will keep trying. Don’t confuse the sadness you feel after a loss with the loss of players [to injury].”
