5 key stats from the La Liga game week 22

It remains pretty hot at the top of La Liga, with the top three all replicating each other’s results this weekend. Wins, draws or defeats? What do you think?

Behind them one team looks to be making a break for fourth at the risk of becoming everyone’s second favourite team next season—they previously held that title in 2011/12.

Meanwhile, down at the bottom, a team that wears green and white is drifting uncomfortably close to La Segunda; if results don’t change soon, then the league they play their football in will change in May.

Here are the talking points from this weekend in La Liga.

Madrid’s defence and Messi’s drought

Lionel Messi has not scored lately

Real Madrid are fast becoming known as the clean sheet kings. Saturday’s win over Granada, which briefly took them top for the first time in 18 months, was their fourth straight league game shutting out the opposition.

Not that Diego Lopez and his back four had much to do. Lopez had just one save to make, as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema helped Los Blancos to fifth straight win.

By Sunday night Barcelona were back in pole position though. Gerard Pique scored for the second consecutive league game to open the scoring against Malaga, who had seven saves from the ever-impressive Willy Caballero to thank for the result only ending 3-0.

Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez scored the other goals.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, despite managing four shots, failed to score a Primera goal again; he’s now gone eight league games without scoring.

Atletico Madrid keeping pace

Atletico Madrid

It’s not just about the two sides of the Clasico divide this season though. Atletico Madrid still remain firmly involved in discussions at the top of the table.

This weekend they scored four times in Vallecas on their way to a 4-2 win over Rayo Vallecano, a win which keeps them level on points with Barcelona at La Liga’s summit—the Catalan’s superior goal difference gives them top spot.

Arda Turan helped himself to a couple of goals, David Villa scored again and Diego Costa found the net for the first time in 2014. Or at least he thought he did. Atleti’s top scorer eventually had his goal taken off him and given as Saul Niguez, on loan at Rayo from Atleti. How cruel.

Rayo were, of course, as exciting as ever, racking up 13 shots—including a Jonathan Viera penalty which was saved by Thibaut Courtois.

However with each passing game, that element of excitement looks less likely to keep them up.

Free scoring Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao stats

‘Osasuna is a difficult away day’ is generally accepted as a reasonable statement. After all, neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona left Pamplona with three points this season.

Athletic Bilbao clearly didn’t get that memo, as Ernesto Valverde’s side went there on Sunday and stung Osasuna to the tune of five.

They scored six and four in their previous league games, so this weekend’s 5-1 win elevates them to 15 goals in their last three matches. Markel Susaeta opened the scoring, with Aritz Aduriz (2), Ibai Gomez and Kike Sola completing the rout.

There wasn’t much for the home side, who conceded 23 fouls, to shout about, although they did score with their only shot on target.

Athletic are now five points clear in the final Champions League spot after Villarreal lost 1-0 to Real Valladolid. Real Sociedad can move within six points with a win against Elche on Monday night.

Third manager can’t bring Betis joy

Celta Vigo stats

It was another case of new manager—their third of the season—same losing feeling for Real Betis on Friday night.

Things had actually got off to the dream start for Gaby Calderon away at Celta Vigo though, Ruben Castro bundling a wicked Juanfran cross over the line early in the first half.

By half time everything had changed, though. Celta took advantage of some catastrophic defending to move into a 3-1 lead via Charles and a Fabian Orellana brace, one of which was an unmarked header from the man who is no more the 5’6” in height.

Nolito added a fourth before Castro nabbed a consolation for Betis, who are now 10 points from safety and in danger of sinking without a trace.

Elsewhere at the bottom there was a vital three points for Almeria against Getafe.

Pizzi and Valencia stuttering

Valencia CF

A flurry of first half goals preceded a goalless second half, as Pizzi’s reign at Valencia struggles to get off the ground.

The Argentine got things started with a 2-0 win against Levante, but Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Espanyol means Los Che are now three games without a win in La Liga—although fans at the Mestalla were at least treated to an exhilarating 45 minutes this weekend.

Espanyol’s young striker, Jhon Cordoba, showed the pace, strength and finishing ability that suggests he could have a bright future in the game to open the scoring inside the first 10 minutes.

Valencia soon found their feet and, ultimately, the lead, though: Paco Alcacer levelled almost immediately and Jonas had soon put them in front. A Sergio Garcia penalty restored parity before the break and that was that.

Elsewhere Levante ended Sevilla’s eight-match unbeaten run with a 3-2 win at the Sanchez Pizjuan. Ivan Rakitic made up for a penalty miss by giving the hosts a second half lead, but Levante turned things on their head late on with goals from Loukas Vyntra and Simao Mate.