Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said his team is "obliged" to chase down Real Madrid, despite losing more ground on the La Liga leader after a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Sunday.

Even a fabulous last-minute Lionel Messi freekick could not prevent Barca falling five points behind Madrid, which has a game in hand, after Nicola Sansone put Villarreal ahead just after halftime.

The draw capped a poor return to action in the new year for Barca after losing the first leg of their Copa del Rey last-16 tie at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.