This weekend in La Liga saw Real Madrid go back to winning ways, and with that, Los Blancos took advantage of one of the worst performances in Messi's career to level their point tally with los Culés in the race to win the title.
Real Madrid handed Getafe their worst defeat under José Bordalás, and they did so with a stellar performance by Raphael Varane (who scored two goals) and Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian shot-stopper kept his fourth clean sheet in the last five La Liga games, which helped him reach the top spot in a particular category. In fact, no other team in La Liga has kept more clean sheets this season than Real Madrid.
Thibaut Courtois has turned his Real Madrid career around. pic.twitter.com/0x1phsshot
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 5, 2020
Later that day, there was a historical moment for fans to witness in the Catalan Derby. Los Periquitos entered the game as the worst team in the Spanish top-flight, but a red card on Frenkie De Jong and the first goal ever scored by a Chinese player against Barcelona saw the game end in a 2-2 draw, as the following footage shows (Image might be geo-restricted).
Espanyol's survival dream was boosted as Wu Lei earned a point in the Barcelona derby!
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) January 4, 2020
#EspanyolBarça pic.twitter.com/waenS0RaGH
This was the seventh game for Barcelona without Marc-André Ter Stegen since he became a regular starter. If you really believe that the goalkeeper is not to be held up as one of the team's best assets, then you need to think twice about how you watch football.
50% - @FCBarcelona have won the 50% of their #LaLiga games without Ter Stegen on the pitch since 2016/2017 campaing (W3 D1 L2), compare to 72,2% with the German keeper. Knee#FCB #Derby #EspanyolBarca pic.twitter.com/bpWsJ12w9Q
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 4, 2020
La Liga Standings after Matchday 19
Halfway through the season, Barcelona has claimed the "title" of winter champions. Will the be able to hold on to it by the end of the season? Elsewhere, check out the battle to avoid relegation and for spots in European competitions!
@FCBarcelona are winter champions of #LaLigaSantander, with @realmadriden level on points! pic.twitter.com/d8GUTdxTWJ
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) January 5, 2020