Four things we learned from Spain's matchday 27

   MADRID, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 27 in Spain's Liga Santander saw FC Barcelona and Leo Messi strike a major blow in the race for this season's title as Messi's stunning free kick gave them a win over second place Atletico Madrid to reopen an 8-point lead at the top of the table. Here are some things we learned over the weekend in Spain.

   1. Fortune favors the brave

   Leo Messi's stunning free kick separated Barca and Atletico in the Camp Nou, but the fact is there was more between the two teams than Messi's goal and had Atletico keeper Jan Oblak not been at his best Barca would have had the points in the bag long before the final whistle.

   The league leaders kicked off with a five-point lead over Atletico, who would have closed to just two points with a triumph, but in the first half at least, there was only one side that looked to attack and it was the league leaders. Atletico tried to change their tactics in the second half, but by then the initiative had flown and the points were Barca's. The title race may not be over, but Barca have taken a huge strike towards winning the league.

   2. Simeone overcautious.

   Atletico Madrid's campaign has been based on a rock solid defense, designed at keeping their rivals at bay while relying on Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro, Angel Correa or Diego Costa to score a decisive goal.

   Atletico travelled to the Camp Nou after nine 1-0 wins in the league this season and coach Diego Simeone clearly set his sights on a repeat of that as he packed the midfield with Thomas Partey, Gabi, Koke and Saul, while leaving the incisive Angel Correa on the bench. That allowed Barca to take early control of the game and despite making positive changes at the break, Atletico never looked like overturning the score, for once Simeone's caution got the better of him.

   3. The 'Mute' is making some noise

   Sevilla midfielder Fran Vazquez was nicknamed 'El Mudo' (the Mute) because apparently he was quiet as a child, but he has started to make some noise at Sevilla in recent weeks.

   Vazquez struggled to hold down a regular place in the side last season under Jorge Sampaoli and was in and out of the starting 11 with Eduardo Berizzo at the helm.

   However, the arrival of Vincenzo Montella as Sevilla coach has seen Vazquez cement a regular place in the side, where his workrate and vision in attack are very much to the Italian's liking.

   Saturday again saw Vazquez  justify his place with an assist for Sevilla's opening goal in their 2-0 win over Athletic Club Bilbao and a header for the second. El Mudo is making some noise. 

   4. Malaga can start planning for life in the second division

   Another weekend, another defeat for Malaga who remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just 13 points from 27 matches and without a win since Jose Gonzalez replaced Michel as coach.

   There have been games when Malaga have been unlucky, such as last weekend's defeat away to Athletic Club Bilbao, but Gonzalez admitted that they had been second best in their 2-0 defeat away to Leganes (who have moved into 33 points - 20 more than Malaga).

   The season has been a disaster from start to finish, due mainly to poor pre-season planning, which saw players such as Pablo Fornals, Charles and Ignacio Camacho leave and not replaced: all Malaga's long-suffering fans can hope now is that the club learns from their mistakes when they plan for life in the second division.  Enditem