Barcelona's setback against Valencia had continuity with the one of Madrid, at home to Betis. They are both so used to being first, this year with 22 points and a game in-hand (El Clasico). But Real Sociedad joined the race on Sunday, after defeating Granda.
This means that the same thing happened as it did a long time ago, where the leaders started with so little points. The leagues of 2012 and 2013 are far away, when Real Madrid and Barça, respectively, were champions with 100 points.
Although with different results, the two big teams have already dropped eleven points along the way, a third of what they have played. In the event that one of the two won 'El Clasico' in December, the current ratio would take the champion to 79 points. The record would even go down to 73 if that match finished as a draw.
The last time the points were lowered so much was in the 06-07 campaign, when Real Madrid took a title on the last day that not many before seemed impossible. Fabio Capello and his team turned the situation over to Barcelona and against Mallorca, in the last ten minutes, completed their last comeback to triumph.