It all could have been much different.
FC Barcelona stumbled against Almeria last week, and Real Madrid salvaged a point against Atlético Madrid. Barcelona’s league lead, once looking insurmountable, took a hit. It stood at seven points at the start of the day, and it seemed like the lead would be cut down even further.
The Catalans got an early goal via Raphinha against Valencia CF at home, with Sergio Busquets playing in a beautiful lobbed assist. But things spiraled downhill, with Barça making key mistake after key mistake. Ferran Torres played a risky backpass to avoid, of all things, a throw in.