Suddenly, things don’t feel too bleak for Barcelona.
In midweek, talk of a crisis enveloped the Nou Camp in the aftermath of the reigning Spanish champions' domestic draws against Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid.
While Barca had taken just two points from their previous two matches heading into the weekend, Real Madrid have won their last seven top flight fixtures, going on an impressively relentless run since football returned.
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By the time Barca took to the field against Villarreal on Sunday, they were seven points behind Real having played a game fewer.