MADRID, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid and Girona both won this weekend in La Liga to retain first and second place, while Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid and the Williams brothers shone as Athletic Club Bilbao scored four. Here are four things we learned in La Liga this weekend.

1. BRAHIM DIAZ PROVES HIS POINT AT REAL MADRID

For a good part of the season it looked as if young attacking midfielder, Brahim Diaz was going to be the forgotten man at Real Madrid after returning to the club after a three-year loan to AC Milan.

However, the injury to Vinicius Jr has helped open the door to Brahim, who started in last week's Champions League win at home to Napoli and both started again scored against Granada on Saturday.

Brahim's linking play has been as important as his goals and although Madrid will have to play many rivals who offer more than relegation haunted Granada, he has shown he can play a big role this season.

2. DE JONG VITAL AS BARCA BEAT ATLETICO MADRID

Although Joao Felix captured most of the headlines for his performance FC Barcelona's 1-0 win against his parent club, Atletico Madrid on Sunday night, fit-again midfielder, Frenkie de Jong showed he is arguably the key player for coach Xavi Hernandez.

Joao Felix scored the winning goal and showed the sort of commitment that will have had Atletico fans wondering why he didn't make that effort on a weekly basis while playing at the Metropolitano Stadium, but De Jong was the foundation of Barca's win.

The Dutchman played just in front of the Barca defense, helping launch their attacks and arriving from deep, but also providing vital defensive cover to help snuff out Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata.

Barca had been struggling in defense, but with De Jong back, they again look much harder to score against.

3. GIRONA SHOW THEIR SPIRIT

Girona produced another late fightback to keep pace with Real Madrid at the top of the table with a 2-1 win at home to Valencia on Saturday.

Valencia had taken the lead through Hugo Duro and their aggressive young side caused plenty of problems until Girona substitutes Yan Couto and veteran striker, Cristhian Stuani combined for two almost identical goals that twice saw Stuani arrive at the far post to poke home a Couto cross.

Winger Savio was also unlucky to see an injury time goal ruled out for offside as Girona went from dead to domination.

Michel Sanchez's men have trailed in three of their last-four league game and come back to win all three.

4. WILLIAMS BROTHERS LEAD THE WAY BUT NOT ALONE AT ATHLETIC CLUB

Rayo Vallecano had only conceded three goals in seven away games before being blown away in Bilbao on Saturday by a storm of attacking football from Athletic Club.

Athletic forward, Nico Williams signed a new contract on Friday and he and his brother Inaki were in a mood to celebrate with their pace and energy in the press almost impossible to deal with, as Nico scored his second goal of the season and Inaki made it seven for the campaign, but they were not alone.

Athletic's strength is as a team, with striker Gorka Guruzeta linking brilliantly and also getting goal number seven, while Oihan Sancet was also involved in three of Athletic's four goals.

Last season a lack of goals stopped the Basque side from qualifying for Europe, but this campaign they have 30 goals from 15 games, with 22 of those at home, where they are almost unstoppable at the moment. Enditem

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