Madrid (Spain), Oct 20 (NationPress) - La Liga resumed its action this past weekend, with both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona facing tough battles for victory just a week before their highly anticipated clash. Currently, Real Madrid tops the table with 24 points from nine matches, boasting eight wins and one defeat. Barcelona follows closely in second place with 22 points, accumulating seven wins, one draw, and one loss. Villareal stands third with five wins, two draws, and two losses in their nine matches.

Here are some insights we gathered this weekend in Spain:

1. Mbappe shines again as Getafe falters

Kylian Mbappe netted the only goal of the match, leading Real Madrid to a 1-0 victory against a disciplined Getafe team that posed challenges for Xabi Alonso's squad to generate clear opportunities.

Mbappe's task was simplified when Getafe's substitute Alex Nyom was sent off just three minutes before the goal due to a reckless challenge shortly after entering the match to bolster the defense, according to reports from Xinhua.

Just four minutes after the goal, Alex Sancris reduced Getafe to nine men with a violent and completely unnecessary foul on Vinicius Junior. Defeating Real Madrid is challenging with 11 players, but with only nine, it's utterly impossible.

2. Barcelona's defense raises concerns for Real Madrid

Although Ronaldo Araujo scored a last-minute goal to secure a 2-1 win for FC Barcelona against Girona on Saturday, the outcome could have easily shifted. Girona entered halftime tied at 1-1 but could have led 3-1 or 4-1 had they capitalized on several missed opportunities.

Barcelona's defense appeared susceptible to counterattacks, reminiscent of their 4-1 defeat to Sevilla two weeks ago. Next week, Real Madrid will unleash Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo against this vulnerable defense.

While much has been said about Barcelona's attacking injuries, their defense seems to be the real Achilles' heel.

3. Carrion faces a tough challenge ahead

Oviedo's decision to terminate Veljko Paunovic, the manager who led the club to La Liga promotion last season, after just eight weeks was shocking during the international break. Appointing Luis Carrion as his successor was another surprise.

Carrion previously brought Oviedo close to promotion two years ago but left for Las Palmas, where he was dismissed after nine games without a win. Some fans are displeased with his return.

Carrion's debut match in charge ended in a 2-0 defeat against Espanyol, a critical game for Oviedo's survival hopes, suggesting he may face a similar fate as his predecessor.

4. Players unite against La Liga's Miami plans

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde stated on Saturday that players are the most valuable asset in La Liga, emphasizing that when a typically non-protesting group does protest, their voices should be acknowledged.

Throughout La Liga this weekend, players paused for the first 15 seconds of each match in a symbolic protest against La Liga's plan to host the December 20th game between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami.

The players' union clarified that they hadn’t solicited Barcelona and Villarreal players to join the protest to avoid causing them trouble, yet they did so out of respect for their fellow professionals. Barcelona midfielder Pedri remarked, 'We weren't part of the protest, but we felt the need to participate out of respect for our colleagues,' a sentiment that La Liga should heed seriously.