La liga: Barcelona drop points again as Atletico Madrid maintain pressure on Real Madrid at the top

(Football news) Barcelona made it three games without victory as they are finding life without Messi tough. On the other hand Atletico brushed off their disappointing draw by winning against Getafe, Carlo Ancelloti created history as his team have scored more goals after six games than any other La Liga team since Barcelona in 2013.

Barcelona drew 0-0 against Cadiz in what was a very disappointing performance by them as it further mounts pressure on Ronald Koeman to save his job. Koeman was under pressure heading into the match but with this draw, the Barcelona hierarchy will surely reevaluate their decision to keep him at the club going forward. Barca were fortunate to even get a point in the match as Marc Andre ter Stegen saved them several times towards the end, Frenkie de Jong received his second yellow card in the 65th minute as it made it even harder for them to win. Memphis was guilty of squandering several good chances in the first half as their performance in the second half lacked intensity and passion.

With this result Barca set some unwanted records as this is the lowest goal tally for Barca since 2003 at this stage, they also notably have picked up two red cards this season. After the nil-nil, Barca are placed 7th in the league having won two, drawn 3 and collected 9 points so far.

"You have to always try to win each game, but you have to be realistic, you have to see the squad we have, the people we're missing," said Koeman. Meanwhile, club president Joan Laporta said “If we have to make decisions at a certain time, we will take them".

Atletico Madrid came back from behind to win 2-1 against Getafe, in the first half chances were few and far, but just when the half was about to end Jan Oblak failed to clear a freekick which was scored by Stefan Mitrovic courtesy of Nemanja Maksimovic’s cross. The story of the second was completely different as Atleti asserted their dominance, this pressure showed as Carles Alena got sent off for a high challenge. Atleti finally took the lead through their talisman Luis Suarez as he poked the ball past Soria from 10 yards, the game was looking like a draw but a hopeful ball by Vrsaljko found Suarez unmarked, he made no mistake at the back post and handed them important three points.With this result Atletico Madrid have 14 points just two points of Real Madrid.

Also read: Has Carlo Ancelotti rescued Marco Asensio's career with the position change?

Sevilla beat Valencia 3-1 at home to go fourth in the table and mount an unlikely title challenge. Sevilla blew away their opponents in the opening 22 minutes as goals from Pau Gomez, Montiel and new signing Rafa Mir virtually sealed the game for them in the first half. Valencia grabbed a goal through Hugo Duro and managed to gain some control in the first half but never looked threatening to make an unlikely comeback. With this result Sevilla are fourth with 11 points but have played a match less and Valencia are 5th with 10 points.

Other notable results were: