MADRID, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 32 in the Liga Santander saw Real Madrid maintain their three point advantage over FC Barcelona at the top of the Liga Santander a week ahead of 'El Classico' between the two sides in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium which could all but decide the destiny of the title. Neither Madrid nor Barca were particularly impressive in their victories and these are some things we learned from the weekend matches.
1) Real Madrid have to keep Isco
Real Madrid midfielder Isco was without doubt the star of the weekend after controlling the game and scoring two excellent goals as Madrid made hard work of their 3-2 win over struggling Sporting Gijon.
He equalized Sporting's opener with a twisting run inside the home side's penalty area which he finished with a low shot and then won the game in the last minute with a low drive to put the icing on the cake.
However, Isco's performance was much more than his goals: he moved the ball around midfield and when he had to look for the one-on one, his close control and low center of gravity saw him turn rival defenders inside out.
The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of June 2018 and admirers are queuing up to sign him should he fail to pen a new deal with Madrid. Isco has said that he wants to stay, but he also wants to play on a regular basis; given his recent form Madrid should give him the assurances he needs and get him to put pen to paper as soon as possible.
2) Barcelona are running on empty
Leo Messi scored twice and set up Paco Alcacer for Barca's third game as they defeated Real Sociedad 3-2 in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday night. The win ended a horrible week which saw Barca lose 2-0 in Malaga and 3-0 away to Juventus, but even the three points couldn't disguise the feeling of decline. Barca never had a grip on the game against a side which had gone 25 years without a triumph in the Camp Nou stadium, with Andre Gomes again struggling in midfield and their rivals causing problem after problem to their defense.
Barca can still score goals from virtually nothing, but the image they gave on Saturday night did nothing to imply they can overturn the 3-0 against Juventus or beat Real Madrid next weekend to keep their title hopes alive.
3) Athletic coming good at the right time
Friday saw Athletic Club Bilbao put five goals in against a Las Palmas side, which away from home at least appears to have started the summer holidays early. The win strengthens Athletic's case for a fourth consecutive qualification for Europe under coach Ernesto Valverde; no mean feat for a club that only signs players born or raised in the Basque region, and highlights that the players are hitting their best form just as the season reaches the final straight.
Athletic have been dogged with physical problems for much of the campaign with players such as Aymeric Laporte, Inaki Williams, Yeray Alvarez and Oscar de Marcos struggling with various issues, but now all are fit and hitting their peak, making Athletic a side capable of rolling their rivals over. Next Monday's trip to Eibar could well be decisive.
4) No saving the 'Adams Family'
Former Arsenal legend Tony Adams was named as Granada's third coach of the season a week ago and promised to give his charges a 'kick up the arse' in order to improve performances. His side maybe showed an improved attitude on Sunday, but still fell to a 3-0 home defeat against a much-changed Celta side.
The defeat leaves Granada seven points from safety with six games left and still with sides such as Sevilla and Real Madrid to play before the end of the season. It is now reasonably safe to assume that Granada will be joining Osasuna in the second division next season.
