Real Madrid had to fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Valencia.
Two goals in seven minutes from Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego put Champions League-chasing Valencia in the driving seat, while Real's misery was compiled when Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in a lively first half at the Bernabeu.
Real regrouped in the second half as Pepe headed home to halve the deficit and a sensational long-range Isco strike drew them level in the closing stages but Carlo Ancelotti's side could not find a winner and subsequently trail Barca, who earlier beat David Moyes' Real Sociedad, by four points with two games remaining.
"The result isn't good, the game was the opposite: very good. We fought until the end and deserved to win. Sometimes that is not enough," said Ancelotti.
"We had a lot of opportunities, we hit the post three times, missed a penalty...We have played the game and I think everyone appreciated it. We feel good and if we play like this on Wednesday then everything will go well."
