LaLiga: Barcelona move 11 points clear of Real Madrid but Atletico join the title fight

Real Madrid were in UAE capturing the Club World Cup so didn’t play this weekend. However, while celebrating, they might be a little concerned by the fact Barcelona extended their lead to 11 points over them. It makes El Clasico next week even more crucial. They need to catch city rivals Atletico first.

It wasn’t the best weekend of football in Spain but there were plenty of talking points. And an unexpected frantic finale made all those who stuck around to watch it thankful they did.

THE WINNERS

Barcelona extend their lead at the top

Everything is going according to plan for Barcelona this season. I mean, who even remembers what their fans were angry about in the summer? The loss of Neymar was a significant blow but one which the team has dodged as if they’re Nero in the Matrix Trilogy. This weekend was no different.

With the greatest respect to Deportivo de La Coruña’s fans, it wasn’t a huge surprise to see them go down 4-0 to Barcelona at the Camp Nou. However the performance from LaLiga’s top team was noteworthy. The initial start to the season produced a lot of unconvincing displays but the two draws, and now consecutive wins, is showing Ernesto Valverde’s side can be great entertainers too.

The match itself could’ve easily ended with the hosts hitting double figures if not for an unforgiving display by the woodwork. Lionel Messi hit it three times, as well as fluffing a penalty, and that meant he’s been denied by the post or crossbar an incredible 14 times. All while leading the scoring charts in LaLiga with – you guessed it – 14 goals.

If there’s a downside for Barcelona heading into next weekend’s El Clasico it’ll be the loss of Paco Alcacer to injury. The former Valencia frontman couldn’t even make the squad a few weeks ago but is proving a fine option from the bench. Given a start against Depor, his game ended after 23 minutes. Football can be cruel.

Atletico accept the challenge of hunting Barça down

As if out of nowhere, Diego Simeone’s team swoop into the title picture and claim second spot from Valencia. Unbeaten and largely uninspiring at the start of the campaign, Atletico are picking up steam and appear the most likely contenders to Barcelona’s title charge.

Speculation continues to surround the future of their best player, Antoine Griezmann, but you can only admire Atletico’s consistency. Something which can’t be said for their Champions League campaign.

Similar to neighbours Real Madrid, a transfer ban seems to have only made Atletico stronger. They have Diego Costa to add following the Christmas break as well. If Real Madrid happen to beat Barcelona next week the gap to the top would be just three points.

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At the weekend they needed an old hero, Fernando Torres, to pop up with the winning goal. Sime Vrsaljko did all the hard work as he provided his second match-winning assist in a row. Without the distraction of the Champions League, it might turn into a positive for Simeone’s men going into 2018.

Incredible final ten minutes

If you turned off the match between Las Palmas and Espanyol before the 80th minute mark, no one would blame you. It was a horrible match, between two sides in poor form, and until the 80th minute was just as you’d expect it to be. Espanyol were 2-0 to the good, both from Gerard Moreno, and the game was over.

Or so it seemed.

Las Palmas suddenly realised they were on the verge of being left behind when it comes to battling against relegation and decided to play. Boy, did it make for a frantic end to one of the worst matches of the weekend – and that’s saying something.

Loic Remy got the first goal back for Las Palmas with nine minutes to go. Espanyol’s defence went missing and the former Chelsea man was in the right place at the right time. Now Las Palmas sensed they could still get something. A floated cross into the middle was headed into the far corner by West Ham flop Jonathan Calleri. 2-2. But that wasn’t all!

Into stoppage time we go. Las Palmas hit the crossbar from another poorly defended corner. We reach the 94th minute and they’re awarded a penalty. Espanyol had gone full Espanyol. However, in a twist of fate, Pau Lopez denied Jonathan Viera from 12 yards and the game ended in a draw. Now I bet you wish you hadn’t switched the game off early.

THE LOSERS

Valencia run out of steam – and ideas – against Eibar

It feels strange to see Valencia slip into this section but it is maybe a stark reminder of how unforgiving this league can be at times. Los Che are enjoying a wonderful campaign and we shouldn’t forget this. But the nature of the defeat to Eibar was a gut punch their fans weren’t expecting. Eibar were simply better.

Not even the inclusion of Goncalo Guedes could get Valencia back on track as they slipped to their second loss in the last three weeks. Ezequiel Garay is a huge loss in the middle of defence, not only for his ability but also his experience. Martin Montoya is struggling at right back and both areas were exposed by high-flying Eibar.

Andreas Pereira popped up with an assist – and he needed that. He hasn’t filled the gap left by Guedes but can still make a telling contribution to the team this season. Either way, it wasn’t enough as Eibar grabbed the late goal they thoroughly deserved. That makes it 13 points out of a possible 15 for them.

Not a weekend of classics .. ahead of El Clasico

It’s impossible for every game to be a blockbuster. Sometimes teams have an off day. This weekend saw a lot of matches which fell flat.

Sevilla and Levante’s toothless 0-0 draw set the precedent to what was forthcoming. A Basque Derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao was about as well received as a Jack Jones comedy video. Lacking in quality and those who did view it were immediately regretting their decision.

Girona beat Getafe, so did Villarreal over Celta Vigo. If only they had collectively produced these matches next week when the world will be watching El Clasico instead.

Did it cross the line?

No one really understands LaLiga’s – and the RFEF’s – decision to not implement goal-line technology. If you want to boast about having the best league in the world, it should have every possible tool to aid its coverage. Instead the decision to save money means there are more inconclusive calls which every other major league can answer within seconds.

Luis Suarez thought he’d scored another goal but Ruben Blanco was adjudged to have kept it out. The camera angles fail to shed any light on the issue. It looked like the ball was over the line but why are there still grey areas?

It’s something which makes LaLiga appear second-rate which is a shame when the football on offer is up there with the best around*.

*but perhaps maybe not this week