MADRID, Dec. 9-- Matchday 16 of La Liga didn't produce any major surprises as Barcelona and Real Madrid both enjoyed relatively easy wins, while Atletico Madrid failed to score yet again and Osasuna's strength at home made life difficult for Sevilla. Here are a few things we learned this weekend in Spain. 1. Big two starting to pull clear FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both won their games this weekend, while Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad were all held away from home. Sevilla are currently third in the table, three points behind Barca and Madrid, who have both played a game less, although they are yet to play each other. The fact is that after a start to the campaign which saw the top 10 teams separated by just a handful of points, things are starting to look increasingly familiar, as the economic power and the deeper squads of the big two begin to make themselves felt. 2. Barca impress but could give Real Madrid hope Lionel Messi scored the 35th hat-trick of his career and Barcelona produced some stunning attacking football as they beat Mallorca 5-2 on Saturday, just 11 days before they play Real Madrid in 'El Clasico' in the Camp Nou. Messi, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets were outstanding in attack and midfield, but Mallorca did give Barca some problems in defense, scoring with their first two attacks, with only a great save from Marc Andre Ter Stegen stopping their third shot from making it 4-3. |