Valverde keeping fingers crossed over defense

MADRID, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid dropped points in matchday 14 in the Spanish Liga Santander allowing Atletico Madrid to strengthen their position in third and close the gap at the top of the table.

1. Valverde keeping his fingers crossed over defense.

The muscle injury suffered by Barca defender, Samuel Umtiti in Celta's equalizing goal in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday leaves coach Ernesto Valverde in a delicate position. With Javier Mascherano also out until the end of the campaign, Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen are now his only fit pair of center-halves.

Although Vermaelen's quality is undoubted, his time at Barcelona has been marked by a seemingly never-ending string of injuries and he only debuted a week ago against Valencia, as such he lacks match fitness (although he has played international football for Belgium). With games away to Villarreal and Real Madrid in December, Barca need both the Belgian and Pique to keep fit and to avoid suspension otherwise it could be a youngster in the Clasico.

2. Real Madrid keep firing blanks

Barca's draw at home to Celta gave Real Madrid the chance to close the gap at the top of the table when they visited an Athletic Club Bilbao in crisis following their exit from the Cup at the hands of third tier side Formentera.

However, despite pressuring hard in the second half and creating chances, Madrid failed to really test Athletic keeper, Kepa, and as a result saw a chance to move to within six points of Barcelona escape them.

Zidane insisted after the game that he was pleased by his players, but missed chances away to Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid a fortnight ago mean his side have dropped four points that could have been theirs.

3. Ziganda earns a lifeline

Athletic Club Bilbao coach Jose Angel 'Kuko' Ziganda led his side into Saturday's game at home to Real Madrid with his position very much on the line after a Cup humiliation against Formentera the previous Wednesday and a string of disappointing performances in the league and Europe.

More than a win Ziganda needed his players to show they still had the will to fight for him and that is what happened against Real Madrid.

Too often this season Athletic have seemed to lack spirit; something the proud fans of a club that only picks players born or raised in the Basque region will not forgive, but against Madrid they dug deep to grind out a draw.

Ziganda still faces a match-ball when Athletic play away to Zorya to qualify for the next round of the Europa League on Thursday, but Saturday means he will at least keep his job until then.

4. Valencia need signings in January to maintain title charge

Valencia's 1-0 defeat away to Getafe meant that three sides in the top four failed to win at the weekend and the first loss for Marcelino Garcia's side was particularly painful given that they played against 10 men for three quarters of the game after Getafe's Mauro Arambarri was sent off for two yellow cards.

It is significant that the defeat came with winger Goncalo Guedes and defenders Jeison Murillo and Ezequiel Garay out through injury, while Simone Zaza looks to be a yard slower as he struggles with a knee problem.

Up to now Valencia's success has been built on repeating virtually the same 11 in every game, but with injuries and suspensions starting to bite and a busy calendar ahead (especially if they progress in the Cup), owner Peter Lim needs to add depth to the squad if their title challenge is to continue into the New Year. Enditem