(Football news) Real Sociedad are on top of the La Liga table, closely followed by Real Madrid who have a game in hand. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have dropped further down after their draws as we go into the international break.

Barcelona drew 3-3 away at Celta Vigo in the last game before the Xavi era. Ansu Fati, Sergio Busquets and Memphis Depay scored in the first half to make it 0-3 to Barcelona. The Blaugrana had a very good first half as they played quick football. Fati and Depay linked up really well in the final third. It looked like Barcelona were on course to their first away win of the season but Celta had different plans. The home side pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute through Iago Aspas who becomes a different animal against Barcelona. 22 minutes later Nolito scored again to ensure an interesting final quarter. In injury time a couple of Barcelona players were booked for time wasting but to no avail as Aspas striked for the 2nd time to make it 3-3 with virtually the last kick of the game. Barcelona are still without an away league win this season as they are still 9th on the table which isn't something one sees every season. Their first game under Xavi will be at home against Espanyol after the international break. 

Also read: Barcelona announce the appointment of club legend Xavi as first team manager

Real Madrid kept their 2nd place on the table with a win against Rayo Vallecano. Real Madrid once again played beautiful football for the first 75 minutes and took a 2-0 lead with goals from Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema. Both Real Madrid center backs Eder Militao and David Alaba played excellent through balls that lead to the goals which is often seen this season under Carlo Ancelotti. Things were looking great at the Bernabeu until substitute Radamel Falcao scored in the 76th minute. Real Madrid went into panic mode and would've conceded another had it not been for Kroos' goal line clearance. The last few minutes were frantic for Los Blancos who just managed to hold on. Real Madrid's next game will be away at Granada after the international break. 

Atletico Madrid drew 3-3 away at Valencia after conceding two goals in stoppage time. Luis Suarez's opener was nullified by an own goal by Stefan Savic. A goal of the season contender by Antoine Griezmann and another one by Sime Vrsaljko gave Atlético Madrid a 3-1 lead. They looked set to take the 3 points but Hugo Durro stepped up for Valencia. The former Real Madrid striker scored twice in stoppage time to bring things back on level terms right before the full time whistle. The draw means that they are 4 points behind Real Madrid and Sevilla in the league table. Diego Simeone has a lot of things to sort out in the international break. Atletico's first game back will be against Osasuna.