Barcelona 'lacking balance', admits Alves

Barcelona: Barcelona defender Dani Alves has put his side's stuttering form down to a lack of cohesion, following the 0-0 draw with La Liga rivals Villarreal on Saturday.

The Catalans were once more forced to settle for a point at El Madrigal, which was a surprise against Jose Francisco Molina's struggling outfit, and the former Sevilla man admits his team are not functioning as efficiently as last season.

"We have not scored, but we played a great match. However, no goals mean we cannot win," said Alves after the match. "We're not getting the balance of last year, to uphold the points earned at home is becoming more difficult."

Barcelona have now fallen seven points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, but Alves insists the title remains a realistic objective for the season.

"This does not mean anything, [the season] goes all the way to the end," said the Brazilian full-back. "It is an advantage but I have seen more difficult scenarios, so we must carry on."

However, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refused to criticise his team despite a sixth draw of the campaign, with the 40-year-old insisting he could not ask for more from his players.

"We played very well and ran a lot. I want to fight for every point like we fought tonight," said Guardiola after the match. "Playing like we have a good season, there is no blame. I want to convey to my players that we will fight to the end. Now we have to win everything at our disposal."

"Being five [points behind] is better than seven. We have been too attentive to the things they do well, we have lacked luck when putting the ball in the net but my assessment is that I am satisfied, especially after last week's work."

Guardiola also shrugged off suggestions that Barcelona had paid the price for their two-legged Copa del Rey quarter-final victory over Real Madrid in mid-week, before praising Villarreal for their courageous display.

"We did not get tired at the end. We have been very demanding, but I prefer to stay in all competitions," he said. "I have few criticisms. We have played an excellent game, but Villarreal are a team that have a lot of shots on goal and play very well if given space."