Barcelona beat local rivals Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby on Saturday to maintain their 10 point lead at the top of La Liga, while Real Madrid scraped a 3-2 win against bottom side Huesca on Sunday.
Here are five talking points from the weekend’s action in La Liga.
ZIDANE’S LUCK
During his first reign at Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane was often accused of being a lucky coach.
Real Madrid would often play badly and somehow still win, with lots of late goals or penalties helping them as they won the Champions League three times and the Spanish title in 2016-17.
Zidane has only been in charge of Madrid for two matches since being reappointed, but already appears to be enjoying the same fortune as before.
Madrid were given a proper game by Huesca, bottom of the table, and only Karim Benzema's 89th minute strike saved them from an embarrassing draw.
There is plenty of work to be done at the Santiago Bernabeu in the close season but if Zidane’s fortune is here to stay again, success will surely follow.
MESSI’S INVENTION
Lionel Messi keeps surprising us.
The Argentine forward scored a freekick lofted over the wall in the style of a Panenka penalty during the Catalan derby win over Espanyol.
Messi, informed by Sergio Busquets that Victor Sanchez would break from the wall and try to find a covering position on the goal line, executed his freekick in curious fashion, gently cutting underneath the ball to drift it towards the goal.
Even though Sanchez got back in time, the unusual delivery confused the Espanyol midfielder and he could only head the ball into his own net.
Less surprising was that the forward equalled another record, matching former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas for most La Liga victories on 334.
ASPAS’S TEARS
Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas continues be an exception to the rule that modern footballers are often uncaring mercenaries.
The Spanish striker saved Celta from relegation as a 21-year-old in 2009 with a brace against Alaves and on his first start after a two-month injury lay-off, scored twice in a 3-2 comeback win against Villarreal to kickstart their survival bid.
Aspas broke down in tears at the end of the game after being given a standing ovation by supporters, with his double taking Celta, 18th, within one point of their opponents, 17th.
Without Aspas, Celta have struggled to get out of the relegation zone but now their hometown hero is back, fans believe they can avoid the drop.
VALENCIA SURGE
After a disappointing start to the campaign, Marcelino's Valencia have come good at the right time.
Los Che are unbeaten in 16 matches across all competitions and with a 1-0 win at Sevilla on Sunday, are closing in on fourth place and a Champions League qualifying spot.
Valencia are sixth but just three points behind Getafe in fourth, who lost 2-0 against Leganes, while fifth place Alaves were battered 4-0 by Atletico Madrid.
While the teams above them struggle, Valencia have hit a sweet patch of form which not only has propelled them up the table, but taken them to the Copa del Rey final and the Europa League quarter-finals.
ATLETICO BEAT THE BLUES
After their 3-0 capitulation against Juventus in the Champions League, Atletico looked to be in a deep depression as they fell 2-0 at Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
However, Diego Simeone's side are famed for their resilience and spirit and the coach had them back at their ruthless best as they crushed Alaves.
Their title hopes are slim at best, lying second in the table with a 10 point gap between them and leaders Barcelona, but at least they have recovered ahead of their visit to the Nou Camp next weekend.
