LaLiga: Blunt Barca hand Madrid advantage after Sevilla draw

The LaLiga title race swung the way of Real Madrid after Barcelona were held to a goalless draw against Sevilla on Friday

Barca’s first slip-up since returning from the three-month hiatus hands Madrid the chance to regain top spot this weekend when they travel to Real Sociedad.

After their emphatic 3-0 win over Valencia on Thursday, Zinedine Zidane’s side will move level on points with the Catalans if they beat Sociedad on Sunday and above them due to their superior record head-to-head.

“Seeing what we’ve done in the last two rounds, it’s going to be very difficult to win this league,” said a despondent Gerard Pique afterwards.

“From what I’ve seen, it’s very hard to see Real Madrid dropping points.” 

Sevilla, in third, and Valencia, in eighth, always looked capable of shifting the dynamic at the top of the table, with Madrid capitalising to climb back to the summit for the first time since they beat Barcelona on March 1.

Asked about Pique’s analysis, Barcelona coach Quique Setien said: “I think it comes from frustration. I am optimistic. I think it will be tough for anyone to take maximum points.”

A valuable point for Sevilla, meanwhile, gives them a five-point cushion over Getafe in fifth, albeit having played a game more.

Barca could have few complaints at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as they never really troubled Sevilla for any prolonged period and the closest Lionel Messi came to scoring the 700th goal of his career were a pair of free-kicks tipped over.

Yet Real Sociedad are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification and will offer Madrid no guarantees on Sunday while games against Getafe, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal mean there are still plenty of hurdles for Zidane’s team to overcome.

Barcelona though would appear to have the tougher run-in, with Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and local rivals Espanyol coming up.