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MADRID. — Barcelona were given a scathing verdict by the Spanish papers after their home collapse against Granada on Thursday night.

It saw them surrender the chance to keep the La Liga title race in their hands.

Ronald Koeman’s men’s display was labelled “unpardonable” by Mundo Deportivo.

They allowed the visitors to come from behind after Lionel Messi’s opener, with Darwin Machis and Jorge Molina netting late in the second half, to stun the Catalan outfit.

The Dutch boss was also sent to the stands.

Mundo slammed Barca for “letting the leadership slip” against a “depleted” Granada side.

Marca said the unfancied side had “set La Liga on fire” after winning their first ever game at the Nou Camp.

It claimed Barca now have “five finals” to come after conceding further ground in the title race, with Real Madrid and even Sevilla now given a shot of pipping them to the trophy.

Sport were particularly damning, simply saying the result was “without forgiveness”, and AS declared it “a bump in the road” after a turbulent season under Koeman.

Messi, who had pledged his future to the club on the same day with just a couple of months remaining on his deal, cut a frustrated figure on the pitch.

“I don’t understand why they sent me off,” Koeman told Movistar.

“They said it was for disrespecting the fourth official.

“I’d like to know what I’m supposed to have said.

“He’s the one who is rude towards me. If they put something I haven’t said in the referee’s report then I’ll have to do something.”

The Dutchman admitted his players ‘lost focus’ after the interval having allowed Granada to come from behind but insisted the team were ‘still in the mix’ despite the set-back.

“We lost our focus in the second half and made errors at the back,” Koeman added.

“We need to accept the fact we’ve lost, that’s the reality of things.

“We had chances to win the game, but that’s that. We’ve got five more games to go and each of the sides (in the title race) will have difficulties moving forwards.

“We now need to prepare ourselves for Sunday’s game (away to Valencia). We’re still in the mix and have a chance.

“We need to accept this, move on and prepare for the next one.

“We tried but weren’t able to make many chances when they scored their goals. They closed shop well and we couldn’t create.”

Spanish La Liga Fixtures

Today: Eibar v Deportivo Alavés (2pm); Elche v Atlético Madrid (4:15pm); Huesca v Real Sociedad (6:30pm); Real Madrid v Osasuna (9pm).

Tomorrow: Real Valladolid v Real Betis (2pm); Villarreal v Getafe (4:15pm); Granada v Cádiz (6:30pm); Valencia v Barcelona (9pm).

Monday: Sevilla v Athletic Club (9pm).— Mailonline.