MADRID, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 30 saw Real Madrid hang on to win the Clasico against Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid dropped two more points as the race for the La Liga title got ever closer. Here are some things we learned this weekend in Spain.
1. Pace is Real Madrid's big asset
Real Madrid moved above Barcelona and one point ahead of Atletico in the race for the La Liga title after a 2-1 win in an exciting and open 'Clasico' on Saturday night.
A pouring rainstorm in the second half added to the feeling of chaos on the pitch and with neither side having much control in the middle of the park, it was the pace supplied by Vinicius Jr and Fede Valverde that helped decide matters for Madrid. Vinicius may have flaws in his game, but his sheer speed opened up Barcelona's back three down the left, while Valverde did the same on the right while also snuffing out Jordi Alba's usual attacking threat as Madrid sneaked home.
2. Setback for Barca's plans
Although Barca was not outplayed in Valvebebas, the defeat is a huge setback for their league title chances after they had traveled with high hopes of going top on Saturday night.
Zidane's inclusion of Valverde won the tactical battle against Ronald Koeman in the first half and it was only after the break with the return of a four-man defense that Barca began to gain control of things and they were unlucky not to take a late point when Ilaix Moriba's last-second effort bounced off the crossbar.
Next Saturday sees Barca play Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey and Koeman will have to decide between a back three or a more conventional back four against a rival currently struggling for goals.
3. Injuries killing Atletico Madrid's title hopes
Although under other circumstances Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw away to in-form Betis would have been considered a decent result, in the context of this season, it has to be seen as two more points dropped as it leaves Atletico, Real Madrid, and Barca within just two points of each other.
Atletico traveled to play Betis with Moussa Dembele, Marcos Llorente, Luis Suarez, and Thomas Lemar all out and then lost Joao Felix and Kieran Trippier during the game.
Other players such as Stefan Savic and Yannick Carrasco recently returned after injury problems, which have hamstrung a slipping Atletico in recent weeks.
4. Pacheta the hero in Huesca
Huesca's 2-1 win at home to Elche must have been doubly sweet for their coach Juan Jose Rojo 'Pacheta' as it lifted them out of the bottom three for the first time in 22 weeks. Not only did the win lift Huesca two places clear of the relegation zone, but it saw them leapfrog Elche, who decided not to renew Pacheta's contract after he led them to promotion last season.
Since replacing Michel as Huesca coach in January, Pacheta has overseen four of their five wins this season and made them a tough side to beat. With confidence as high as it has been all season and striker Rafa Mir in excellent form, a home game against Alaves next week seems to offer the chance to put three more vital points on the board. Enditem
