Barcelona is feeling the long season

Although Barcelona put themselves on course for a Champions League quarter-final with a 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon, the Catalan side could be beginning to feel the effects of a long season.

The Blaugrana failed to sparkle at the Stade Gerland and have now gone three matches without a win, after drawing with Real Betis and losing to Espanyol.

“It’s just that we were a bit worn out,” the Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré said. “We needed a bit more time to recuperate after Saturday’s game. It’s a long season and we had to play some 60 minutes with 10 men against Espanyol at the weekend,” he added, referring to Seydou Keita’s dismissal. “We are playing in all competitions and at this stage of the season it’s not easy from a physical point of view.”