Five thoughts from the weekend's action in La Liga as Real Madrid and Barcelona both win and a motoring Atletico Madrid move past an ailing Sevilla to go third.
1. Modric form a real issue for Madrid
La Liga leaders Real Madrid never got out of second gear as they beat Alaves 3-0 at home on Sunday afternoon to remain two points ahead of Barcelona, with a game fewer played.
It was not the most exciting 90 minutes of the season at the Bernabeu, and Madrid did not need to be at their best. Most of the postmatch reaction focused on Isco's contribution in a rare start -- but the concern should be another very low-key showing from midfield mainstay Luka Modric.
Modric is the man who really makes Madrid tick, controlling the pace of game with his long and short passing, moving opposition defences around and opening gaps for his higher profile teammates to exploit. But on Sunday he was barely recognisable, harried off the ball easily by opponents, and more than once sending an aimless pass to nobody at all. The Croatia international, 31, was the first player replaced, leaving early for the sixth time in the last eight Madrid games.
Coach Zinedine Zidane said afterwards that his team's main characteristic was the ability to score out of nothing -- using Isco's flashing finish as an example. But to take the initiative in huge looming games against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich they will need to have Modric back to his best, or at least better than he has been playing so far in 2017.
2. Suarez keeps Barca in the chase
With Lionel Messi suspended, it was Luis Suarez who stepped up as scorer and provider as Barcelona kept up the chase by winning 4-1 at Granada on Sunday evening.
The first half at Los Carmenes was all about Suarez versus Granada keeper Memo Ochoa, and the Barca No. 9 eventually came out on top with the sweetest of chipped finishes just before the break.
When Jeremie Boga then equalised with the home team's first shot on target all game soon after half-time, Suarez almost immediately got back to work and lifted a perfect assist into the path of substitute Paco Alcacer who accepted the gift and made it 2-1.
After Granada midfielder Uche Agbo picked up a second yellow card, Suarez was also involved in both late goals by Ivan Rakitic and Neymar. It was his leadership and playmaking that stood out, particularly important in Messi's absence.
3. Atletico doing what they do best
There was a very back to basics feel from Atletico Madrid on Saturday night, as they eased to a 2-0 win at Malaga to retake third place in the table.
Atletico began the game with six homegrown canteranos in their XI, and had the worse of the proceedings before they went ahead when Koke showed quick thinking to pounce after Fernando Torres had taken out all three Malaga centre-backs with one miscontrol of the ball. From there Atletico sat back and let the home side dominate possession but never really look like scoring, before Torres inadvertently set up the second goal for Filipe Luis late on.
Coach Diego Simeone was happy afterwards with the efficient nature of the performance: "We worked hard for each other and had less possession for sure, but we had good chances -- the two goals and some others too."
Earlier this season there was much talk about Simeone's team evolving towards a more attractive possession-based approach. But as the business end of the campaign arrives they are definitely concentrating on what they know best.
4. Fun over at Sevilla
Sevilla slipped down to fourth after a very uninspiring 0-0 draw at home to relegation strugglers Sporting Gijon on Sunday. Jorge Sampaoli's side had 70 percent possession and 18 shots on goal in total, but could not find a way past Sporting's excellent goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar.
Just a few weeks ago Sevilla were apparently headed for the Champions League quarterfinals, and challenging Madrid and Barca at the top of the table. But another draw in La Liga means they are now 10 points off the top, and the European exit to Leicester has been extra painful.
Tactical surprises and enigmatic utterances from Sampaoli, which looked inspired and creative when things were going well, now just look puzzling and downright wrong. Stevan Jovetic was the team's most important player through February, but has started just one of their last five games, in which the team has scored just three times and not won even once.
Even though Sevilla will still likely finish fourth, given the stumbles of those behind them, the sense of fun and adventure from earlier in the season is gone now. The confirmation last week that successful sporting director Monchi is leaving in a few months has also deepened the gloom. Sampaoli has a job to do to rebuild confidence in his team, and in his own eccentric methods.
5. Reyes moment to savour
Added-time screamers from outside box into the top corner, on your wrong foot, against your lifelong rivals, do not come much sweeter than Jose Antonio Reyes' 90th-minute winner as Espanyol beat Real Betis 2-1 on Friday night.
The game seemed headed for a draw before Reyes dummied to shoot on his left, shifted the ball across his marker and arrowed a right footer into the near top corner, surprising Betis goalkeeper Antonio Adan with its power and accuracy. Moments after his ecstatic cupped ear celebration in front of the visiting verdiblanco fans, Reyes admitted the goal had been extra special.
"I don't score many with my right foot," the ex-Sevilla winger said. "Plus in the final minute, to win a game, the truth is I could not ask for more today. The Betis fans had said some things to me, as a Sevillista, but it doesn't matter now."
The three points kept Reyes side in the hunt for a Europa League qualification spot, with five points now separating the five teams -- Real Sociedad (49), Villarreal (48), Athletic Bilbao (47), Eibar (44) and Espanyol (43) battling for a potential three qualification places.