Barcelona's title aspirations seem far-fetched after defeat at Malaga, despite Real Madrid's draw against Atletico offering them the chance to fight for the top spot.
It has been a different team to that who won La Liga the previous two seasons, with irregular perfomances prompting them to drop points both at home and away.
In matchweek 31 of the 2015/16 season, Barcelona had a solid lead with 76 points; this year, however, they have managed a measly 69, practically giving up their chances to fight for the the league if Real Madrid beat Celta de Vigo in the game which they have in hand.
It seems the Spanish giants have switched roles, as it was Real Madrid who had gained 69 points last season, but this year they could go up to 75 if they manage to win the postponed match at Balaidos.
In Luis Enrique's first year things also appeared to run smoother, with matchweek 31 seeing Barca at 75 and Madrid at 73 points. In the current term, Luis Enrique has not looked capable of finding a solution his side's problems, and his substitutions and experiments have not worked in favour of the team.
At the beginning of the season, Barcelona accumulated defeat after defeat at home, but in the last few months the difficulties have come when playing away, dropping points against Villarreal, Betis, Deportivo and Malaga.
Too many slip-ups for a team which, interestingly, has managed to win away against tougher opponents. Atletico, Valencia, Athletic or Sevilla have all been on the losing end when facing a Barcelona that struggles against weaker more defensive teams, and who have continued to prove that La Liga is as competitive and even as ever.