Madrid (Spain), Nov 24 (NationPress) In a thrilling encounter, Real Madrid let slip two vital points during their trip to Elche, while FC Barcelona made a triumphant return to their iconic home ground in the latest round of La Liga matches. The 36-time champions and 26-time runners-up, Real Madrid, currently top the league table with 32 points from 14 matches, boasting 10 victories, 2 draws, and 1 defeat. Barcelona trails closely behind with 31 points from 13 matches, including 10 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.

Villarreal sits in third place with 29 points from 13 matches, marked by 9 wins, 2 draws, and 2 defeats, while Atletico Madrid follows with 28 points, secured from 8 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss, as reported by Xinhua.

Here are four key takeaways from the latest La Liga action.

1. Barcelona's Joyful Return

It was a remarkable Saturday for FC Barcelona, who celebrated a grand return to Camp Nou with an emotional opening ceremony and a commanding 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, marking the return of Raphinha from injury.

Lamine Yamal appeared to have overcome the groin injury that previously sidelined him from the Spain squad, and Athletic made it easier for Barcelona to shine. The opening goal followed a series of defensive blunders, with goalkeeper Unai Simon possibly at fault for Robert Lewandowski's strike. The second goal resulted from a mistake by left-back Yuri Berchiche, while the third came after another failure by Athletic to clear a loose ball near the box.

2. Elche Challenges Real Madrid's Backup Plan

Elche displayed impressive football in their 2-2 draw against Real Madrid, highlighted by Alvaro Rodriguez's magnificent goal against his former team. However, coach Xabi Alonso likely felt let down as some players missed key opportunities in the starting lineup. Rodrygo's performance alongside Kylian Mbappe didn’t bolster his case for more playtime, while Dani Ceballos struggled to fill the void left by the injured Aurelien Tchouameni. Trent Alexander-Arnold showcased a mixed bag of skills, with superb set-piece deliveries but questionable defending that led to Elche's opening goal.

Real Madrid seemed poised to establish a significant lead in the standings, but their advantage has now shrunk to just one point over Barcelona, three over Villarreal, and four over Atletico Madrid.

3. Gerard Moreno's Talent Shines

Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno, who missed the start of the season due to injury, has made a notable impact in just six appearances, netting four goals. He opened the scoring in Villarreal's 2-1 victory against Mallorca, proving himself as a well-rounded striker, effective in the air, quick on his feet, and capable of holding up play for teammates. With depth in attack, Marcelino Garcia Toral's squad can maintain its competitive edge well into the New Year if Moreno stays fit.

4. Real Sociedad Gaining Momentum

Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime to Osasuna, Real Sociedad turned the tide in the second half to secure their first away win of the season, thanks to contributions from Brais Mendez, Goncalo Guedes, and Ander Barrenetxea. This trio, alongside Carlos Soler and Mikel Oyarzabal, forms a dynamic unit that plays attractive football. Conversely, Osasuna coach Alessio Lisci appears to lack a definitive style, frequently switching between four and five-man defenses.