Barca boss Enrique rues inconsistency

Outgoing Barcelona boss Luis Enrique lamented his side's inconsistency after it fell short of retaining its La Liga title on Sunday.

Barca came from 2-0 down to beat Eibar 4-2 in Enrique's final home game in charge, but Real Madrid pipped the Catalans by three points at the top of the standings thanks to its 2-0 win over Malaga.

"Without doubt our consistency," said Enrique when asked why Barca missed out on the title.

"We let games get away that we haven't in other years. At the end of the day we've paid the price."

Barca won all of its last six games, including a thrilling 3-2 win away to Madrid last month.

However, the damage was done by shock defeats at Celta Vigo, Deportivo la Coruna and Malaga, as well as at home to Alaves earlier in the campaign.

"The team did many things well this season, but the line that separates triumph from defeat is very small as we have seen.

"Hopefully, we can continue to win titles but there are rivals that want the same thing and are at our level."

Enrique, who announced his decision to step down at the end of the season back in March, has won eight trophies in three years in charge and can add another one with the Copa del Rey final to come against Alaves next weekend.

Agence France-Presse