Highlights: Barcelona crash to shock defeat against Malaga at Camp Nou

It was a disappointing night for Neymar and team

FC Barcelona wasted a chance to go top of the La Liga when they crashed to a shock 0-1 defeat at home to Malaga here.

Barca paid the price for one of their worst displays of the season Saturday as they conceded a goal on the break and then failed to create chances to turn the game around, reported Xinhua.

Nobody performed for Barcelona while Malaga produced a solid defensive display in which they closed down effectively and posed a considerable threat on the break.

With a vital Champions League game against Manchester City Tuesday, Barca coach Luis Enrique made seven changes from the side which defeated Levante 5-0 a week ago.

It says a lot about the depth of his squad, which still looks a powerful side on paper and with the most in-form attacking trio in Spain, consisting of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Malaga took a shock lead after eight minutes following a dreadful mistake from Dani Alves who totally miss-hit a back pass, following a long clearance from Carlos Kameni to set up Juanmi to beat Claudio Bravo.

Juanmi’s goal following an embarrassing error from Alves

Immediately afterwards Rafinha saw a shot cleared off the line by Wellington as Barca looked to level before the game settled into a rhythm, with the home team controlling the ball but Malaga looking to hit them on the break.

The Catalans were enjoying 80 percent of possession, but it was Malaga who created the best chance as Ricardo Horta sent an overhead kick straight at Bravo.

Down at the other end, Iniesta should have done better with a header when set up by Messi but could only tamely head at Kameni.

The second half saw Barca up the pace, but the result did not change as they failed to work. It was not until the 84th minute that Pedro got a sight of goal only to drive his shot into the side netting.

Alba’s antics only earned him a yellow

Jordi Alba, in the dying moments of the match, could have been sent off for kicking Juanpi to win the ball, but was also given a yellow by referee Juan Martínez Munuera.

Suarez shot straight at Kameni in the closing minutes and Gerard Pique saw an effort plucked out of the sky by the Malaga keeper with the last chance of the game.

The result means that if Real Madrid win away to Elche Sunday night, they will once again move four points clear at the top of the standings.