Luis Enrique's side saw its 39-game unbeaten run ended by its rival on Saturday, and Los Blancos now perhaps pose the largest threat to the hopes of another triple triumph.
Barcelona had to be beaten sooner or later. Defeat in the Clasico to eternal enemy Real Madrid will hurt the players, the fans and everyone else at the Catalan club, but it may not be such a bad thing after all.
La Liga is unlikely to be lost by Barca. With seven games remaining, Luis Enrique's men lead the Primera Division by six points from Atletico and seven from Real - and it is effectively seven and eight respectively because the Blaugrana boast the better goal average from games played with those two in the event of a tie.