Madrid (Spain), Dec 1 (NationPress) - Real Madrid's away match against Girona ended in disappointment, resulting in them losing their top position in La Liga to FC Barcelona. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal also narrowed the gap at the summit as the latest fixtures unfolded this weekend.

Barcelona now leads with 34 points, tallying 11 wins, one draw, and two losses across 14 matches. Real Madrid follows closely with 33 points from 10 wins, three draws, and one defeat.

Villarreal occupies the third position, while Atletico de Madrid sits fourth with 31 points, leaving Real Betis trailing in fifth with only 24 points, as reported by Xinhua.

Here are key insights from this weekend's matches in Spain.

1. Is it a four-way title race?

Another lackluster performance from Real Madrid allowed Barcelona to take the lead in the title chase after Madrid recorded three consecutive draws away from home. Xabi Alonso's team struggled to maintain pace, resulting in Girona effectively stifling their offensive efforts.

This latest draw now sees Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, and Atletico Madrid separated by a mere three points, a stark contrast to the earlier season when Madrid had a chance to extend their lead significantly.

2. Raphinha’s crucial role at Barcelona

While Lamine Yamal captures the headlines, Raphinha may well be FC Barcelona's most critical player, showcasing impressive skills in both attack and defense.

He excelled during Barcelona’s 3-1 home victory against Deportivo Alaves, assisting Yamal and Dani Olmo in scoring the first two goals.

Raphinha’s relentless work ethic off the ball enhances the team’s defense, applying pressure that complicates the opponent's ability to initiate plays. Thus, his defensive contributions are vital, despite being a forward.

3. Sorloth provides options for Atletico

Despite a hefty transfer from Villarreal in the summer of 2024, Atletico Madrid fans have yet to fully embrace striker Alexander Sorloth. This is surprising given his impressive record of 20 league goals last season and four thus far, including two in Saturday’s comfortable win over Oviedo.

Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone noted that Sorloth’s presence diversifies their attacking strategy, enabling long balls to a powerful forward while also providing rest for Julian Alvarez ahead of their upcoming clash with FC Barcelona.

4. Villarreal's double-edged sword

A late goal from Alberto Moleiro secured Villarreal a thrilling 3-2 victory against the form team Real Sociedad, who had equalized through a free kick from Ander Barrenetxea.

This win propelled Villarreal momentarily to second place in La Liga, re-energizing their title aspirations.

However, their inconsistent performances in Europe contrast sharply with their domestic form, as they currently hold just one point out of 15 in the European competition. This discrepancy could benefit Villarreal as they navigate the second half of the season, allowing them more rest while their rivals contend with frequent fixtures.