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The hint of predictability which tended to follow Spain’s three title challengers with three points before Christmas has been strangely lacking in the new year.
This weekend two of the three failed to even pick up a point.
At the bottom there was more gloom for Segunda-bound Real Betis, although they have every right to feel aggrieved with how they were beaten, while Rayo Vallecano look like dropping down with them.
Elsewhere, Valencia followed up their good form with another three points under Pizzi.
Here are the talking points from La Liga.
Bumbling Barcelona
Carlos Vela tried his best, smashing all five of his chances pretty much into oblivion, but not even his questionable finishing could deny Real Sociedad a memorable victory over Barcelona on Saturday evening.
To be fair to the Mexican, he was actually always dangerous on the counter attack — as was Antoine Griezmann. Again.
La Real’s French sensation scored his 15th of the league season, created another and was generally a thorn in a Barca defence which was often surrounded by acres and acres of space.
Lionel Messi scored for the fifth game running, but it carried little weight.
“I got it wrong,” Gerard Martino admitted after his side’s 3-1 defeat at Anoeta handed title rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid the opportunity to move three points clear.
Awful Atletico
On Calle Ana de Velasco, a street which runs along just outside Osasuna’s El Sadar stadium, there should be a sign which reads,”DANGER: BIG TEAMS LEAVE WITH NOTHING.”
If there was, Atletico Madrid might not have become the third of Spain’s top three to leave Pamplona with their tails between their legs on Sunday night.
Barcelona had drawn 0-0 there and Real Madrid had been forced to come back from 2-0 down to secure a point, so Diego Simeone’s side new what to expect — they either didn’t, or simply weren’t able to, heed the warning.
Osasuna raced into a 3-0 lead before half-time and all Atleti’s players could do was shake their heads.
The inclusion of January signing Diego Ribas is proving particularly interesting; clearly a good footballer but there’s a case to suggest he’s a hindrance on the team. Atleti have lost all four games he’s started, as he struggles to adapt to Simeone’s rigid system.
He messed up 10 passes this weekend, some of which where very un-Atleti balls.
All hail Real
Gareth Bale scoring a wonder goal
While Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have stuttered post-Christmas, Real Madrid have stormed on to turn a five point deficit into a three point advantage at the top of La Liga —they have to be considered favourites now.
Against Elche on Saturday afternoon, their three summer signings — Asier Illarramendi, Gareth Bale and Isco — all scored in a comfortable, if a little boring, win at the Bernabeu.
Oh, and Cristiano Ronaldo will be back next week. Remember him?
Bale Watch: The Welshman will be happy his wonder strike from 25 yards made the net ripple, because otherwise the focus would have been on another difficult game in Madrid’s famous white shirt.
He only completed 2/6 take-ons, 70 percent of his passes and his four shots in the box were wasted.
Dark forces in action at Betis
“I want some respect for a club that’s over 100 years old,” Real Betis manager Gabriel Calderon blasted after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
“There were clear errors here today, by a referee that has prejudice. I will never understand what happened with the referee this afternoon.”
Calderon was referring to the two penalty decisions his side saw go the other way: one for a foul on Ruben Castro and one for a handball on the line. He was also referring to the penalty decision granted in Athletic’s favour, moments after Castro had tumbled at the other end.
He may also have been referring to the two red cards his side picked up. Although his players will have to take some responsibility for them — they lost their heads.
The defeat leaves the Seville-based club at the bottom, a long, long way back.
Just above Betis, Rayo Vallecano are proving their own worst enemy. They’re all style, no substance and, after mustering just one shot on target, were beaten 1-0 by Sevilla at the weekend.
Valencia ascent continues
What a difference the word ‘belief’ can make. The Valencia of one month ago would have lost, or at best drawn, after falling behind at the Mestalla against Granada.
Not now though.
Pizzi’s side, who have clearly felt the knock-on effects of their win over Barcelona, persisted to force their way back into the match.
Paco Alcacer levelled things up after Piti’s opener, before Los Che continued to bomb forward as they racked up 17 shots on their visitor’s goal in search of the winner which, eventually, arrived in stoppage time.
Ruben Vezo, the 19-year-old Portuguese defender who arrived in January, got the goal which leaves Los Che seventh in the table.
