FC Barcelona took three vital points against Atletico Madrid on Sunday to all but assure the league title before La Liga moves into a round of midweek games. Here are some things we learned this weekend in Spain.

1. Barca overcomes toughest hurdle on route to title

Atletico Madrid visited the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday afternoon on a run of 10 wins in their last 12 La Liga games, while Barcelona had failed to score in their three previous games and was looking very flat.

If ever there looked like a chance for Atletico to take a win that would have seen Real Madrid cut Barca's lead to eight points, this was it.

However, the woodwork, Barca's defense and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and a solitary Ferran Torres goal saw Barca win 1-0.

That keeps their lead at 11 points, and with their toughest game between now and the end of the season behind them and Pedri and Frenkie de Jong back from injury, the title is now merely a matter of time.

2. Asensio looks for new deal in best possible way

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has put his faith in the club winning this season's UEFA Champions League, and continues to rotate his side to ensure his star players are in their best possible form for their European commitments.

That has given game time to players such as Nacho Fernandez, Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio, all of whom are out of contract at the end of the season. Nacho's dependability in various roles should get him a new deal, while striker Asensio has taken full advantage of the chances he has had, with five goals in April.

The question for Asensio is: will be happy to remain a bit-part player or prefer to move for more game time?

3. Mendilibar becoming a hero in Sevilla

There was some surprise when former Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar was named as the replacement for Jorge Sampaoli as Sevilla coach at the end of March, but the 62-year-old has so far done a magnificent job.

Under his tutelage, Sevilla is more compact as a unit and is unbeaten in La Liga, with three wins and a draw from four games. They humiliated Manchester United 3-0 on Thursday in a packed Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to qualify for the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League.

Although he has earned a reputation for solid football, Sevilla is the biggest club 'Mendi' has coached in his long career. He is showing that getting the basics right is just as important at a big club as at a smaller one.

4. Athletic Club in race for Europe

Sevilla's 2-1 win at home to Villarreal on Sunday did a big favor to Athletic Club Bilbao, who is another of in-form sides in La Liga and sits just one point behind Villarreal and two behind Betis in the race to qualify for Europe.

The side coached by Ernesto Valverde has recovered their mojo in La Liga after the end of their Copa del Rey campaign, which left them flat in some games at the start of the season.

Now with their focus on a top-six finish, Athletic is playing their best football of the season, with defenders Inigo Martinez and Yeray Alvarez in fine form, while Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams and Mikel Vesga are all vital to the team.

Athletic has a big week coming up with Sevilla and Betis visiting their San Mames Stadium and a trip to Mallorca, but their fate is very much in their own hands. 

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