Analysis: Four things we learned in Spain’s matchday 14

MADRID, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) — The 14th round of matches in La Liga saw Real Madrid close FC Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table, while Atletico Madrid beat Alaves, Athletic Club Bilbao claimed the Basque derby and there was emotion in Valencia.
Here are four things we learned this weekend in Spain.
1. Barca is less Barca without Lamine Yamal
FC Barcelona looked to be on the way to three points away to Celta Vigo on Saturday, only to be hit by two goals in two minutes that robbed them of two vital points in the title race.
Marc Casado’s sending off was a big factor in the result, with both goals coming after his 82nd minute red card, but it’s surely no coincidence that Saturday’s 2-2 and the 1-0 defeat away to Real Sociedad before the international break came with Lamine Yamal out with a muscle injury.
Barca has clearly missed Yamal’s skill and pace, with the results showing that despite his age, he is its most important player. The most worrying is that the team rely so much on a 17-year-old, and coach Hansi Flick has to find a balance to get the best out of him as much as possible, without burning him out.
2. Sancet’s return important for Athletic Club
The Basque derby between Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Sociedad was far from a classic, but the home side took all three points with a first half goal from attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet.
Sancet outjumped his marker at the far post to score his fifth goal of the season from Nico Williams’ cross.
The Pamplona-born player had started the season in arguably the best form of his career, scoring goals and linking with the Williams brothers, before a muscle injury in Girona and an ankle problem put the brakes on his season.
His absence coincided with a slight dip in form for Athletic, but if he stays fit, the team will have a chance of a top-four finish.
3. Real Madrid enjoys a placid afternoon but loses Vinicius
Real Madrid won 3-0 away to Leganes, with the small club hanging on well in the first half, before Madrid’s superior firepower and squad depth was decisive with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham both scoring, along with Fede Valverde.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti was able to rotate in midfield, giving much-needed minutes to Arda Guler in the middle of the park, while youngster Raul Asencio gave an assured performance in central defense for the injured Eder Militao.
The bad news for Madrid was a hamstring injury suffered by Vinicius Jr, who will now miss this week’s vital trip to Liverpool and several other games, although this will now give Mbappe the chance to play in his favored position on the left.
4. Valencia rides on emotion to play homage and takes three big points
It was virtually impossible not to be affected by the emotion as the fans in Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium on Saturday paid homage to the over 200 victims of the recent floods, which devastated the region.
A spine-tingling minute of silence preceded a game where the home side then rode on the emotion to beat Betis 4-2.
Valencia went into the match bottom of the table and this display showed it has the talent to escape the relegation zone, but it will need to play at that level week after week, not just on one special day nobody in Mestalla will ever forget. ■