Ernesto Valverde says Barcelona were under pressure to take advantage of their rivals dropping points ahead of kick-off against Getafe on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid and Sevilla played out a 1-1 draw at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, while Real Madrid slumped to a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad.
Valverde said his players were aware of the results before kick-off at Getafe and admitted the hosts gave his team a tough night.
“We knew the results before the game,” he ssaid.
”We were under pressure to take advantage of this opportunity and we went for it in a difficult stadium.