Analysis: Four things we learned in Spain's matchday 18

MADRID, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- There were changes at the top of La Liga in the last weekend's games before the Christmas holidays, with Atletico and Real Madrid both leap-frogging Barcelona in the standings. Here are four things we learned this weekend in Spain.

1. Barca's soft center lets it down again against Atletico

On a different day FC Barcelona would have been out of sight before Rodrigo de Paul equalized for Atletico Madrid in its vital game on Saturday night in Montjuic, Barca completely dominated the first hour and as well as Pedri's goal, fashioned several chances, with Raphinha hitting the bar with a neat lob over Atletico goalkeeper, Jan Oblak.

Even after the equalizer Barca had all the pressure, with Oblak making two fine saves to keep the score level, but then the team was caught with a sucker punch when Alexander Sorloth scored Atletico's winner in the 96th minute.

Although Sorloth and De Paul produced fine finishes for their goals, both came after defensive howlers from Barca, with Marc Casado teeing up De Paul with a dreadful clearance, while Barca's defense was simply too far forward in the break that allowed Sorloth to score the winner.

Atletico did well, but Barca committed football suicide.

2. Saying that, Atletico must do something...

While Barca was certainly the architects of its own downfall, Atletico's season can't be just down to good luck as it has scored and incredible nine goals this campaign after the 90th minute.

On Saturday, Diego Simeone returned to 'factory settings' with a five-man defense and four in midfield as Julian Alvarez also provided defensive cover.

That sucked Barca further and further forward until Atletico was able to catch it on the break. It's happened before in Paris and also in Bilbao - rivals make a late mistake and Atletico pounce on it.

Simeone's tactic needs some luck and rivals to show ambition to go for three points rather than settle for a draw, but if something works time after time, there has to be a reason for it.

3. Real Madrid steps up a gear against Sevilla

La Liga said 'adios' to Sevilla legend Jesus Navas on Sunday after a long and glittering career, but his side was unable to give him the sendoff he deserved, as it was slow out of the blocks in the Santiago Bernabeu and by the time it woke up, the game was long gone.

Kylian Mbappe and Fede Valverde fired home piledrivers to make it 2-0 in the opening 20 minutes, and Rodrygo added a third before Sevilla came to life with Isaac Romero's goal.

It ended 4-2 and Real Madrid also climbs above Barcelona with an end to the year Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased with. January looks as if it will be intense with Liga, Copa, Supercup and vital Champions League games, but Madrid ends on a high and can now have a short rest to prepare for an early 2025 marathon of matches.

4. Valencia fails to react

Valencia went to the bottom of the table, although it has a game in hand. That game is at home to Real Madrid on January 3rd and anything other than an away win would be a surprise.

Valencia scored a 98th minute to save a point at home to fellow-strugglers, Alaves on Sunday, but with coach Ruben Baraja clinging to his job mainly because the club owner Peter Lim is unwilling to pay the necessary compensation for sacking him and fans chanting against the coach and the club's directors, the situation is getting worse and worse.

It's hard to see Lim spending money in January and even if Baraja does leave, most coaches would think twice about taking on a difficult sporting task in such a hostile atmosphere at the club. ■