Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept Atletico Madrid's challenge alive as they kicked off a huge week in LaLiga's title tussle with a 2-0 win over Girona at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Coach Diego Simeone had promised at the weekend that Atleti would fight champions Barcelona "until our last breath" and Godin's scrappy 76th-minute header kept them in the hunt.
The hosts came into this match 10 points behind Barca, also in action against Villarreal on Tuesday, and they were frustrated for long periods by a Girona side who provided a consistent threat.