Barcelona stumbled to 3-2 home loss against Valencia on Saturday, giving Atletico Madrid a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the Spanish league.

Barcelona's decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort from Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona led through Alexis Sanchez's eighth-minute goal but Dani Parejo equalized for Valencia before the break.

The diminutive Pablo Piatti headed Valencia ahead after the restart before Lionel Messi's penalty — and first league goal since September — leveled the game again.

But Barcelona's defense let Sofiane Feghouli burst free into the area to set up Paco Alcacer's 59th-minute winner.

Barcelona played with 10 men from the 78th after Jodi Alba was shown a second yellow card.