MADRID, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Matchday 27 in La Liga saw none of the top-three sides win, and Atletico Madrid was the only team in the top seven to take three points. Here are four things we learned this weekend in Spain:

1. Gil Manzano raises controversy in Valencia

All of the talk in Spain on Sunday was about referee Gil Manzano's decision to disallow a 'goal' from Jude Bellingham that would have given Real Madrid a 3-2 win away to Valencia.

In the ninth minute of injury time (after signaling seven minutes), the referee apparently told the players a Real Madrid corner would be the last action of the game, but after keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili punched the ball away, he let play continue for a few more seconds, only blowing as Brahim Diaz's cross allowed Bellingham to score.

Madrid was angry that the goal didn't stand, and Valencia couldn't understand why he didn't blow when the ball was cleared.

A needless way to provoke controversy after an intense game was entirely the referee's fault.

2. Athletic Bilbao rings the changes to frustrate Barcelona

Real Madrid's draw in Valencia and Girona's defeat in Mallorca gave FC Barcelona the chance to move second in the table and close the gap on Real Madrid in their match away to Athletic Bilbao.

Athletic was without suspended winger Nico Williams and coach Ernesto Valverde was forced into a host of changes after their intense Copa del Rey win against Atletico Madrid on Thursday night, and it looked a perfect opportunity for Barca.

However, Athletic's battling spirit in front of over 52,000 fans saw them overcome tired legs to frustrate Barcelona and they were the better side after the break.

To make matters worse for Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong suffered injuries, which will be a huge handicap to his side at a key moment of the season.

3. Quique Sanchez Flores saving Sevilla

Sevilla's 3-2 win at home to Real Sociedad on Saturday afternoon continues the club's recovery since the arrival of Quique Sanchez Flores as first team coach.

The former Getafe, Valencia and Espanyol boss began his time as Sevilla's third coach of the season with three league defeats, but his 5-3-2 formation has gradually begun to take effect with three wins and two draws in their last six games, along with a narrow defeat to Real Madrid.

Sevilla is now eight points clear of danger and probably just two or three wins from assuring survival.

4. Real Sociedad in freefall

The flip side of Sevilla's win was another defeat for Real Sociedad, who is in danger of seeing their season fall apart.

Saturday's loss completed a dreadful week for the side from San Sebastian, who lost a penalty shootout in the semifinal of the Copa del Rey against Mallorca on Tuesday and a 3-1 defeat at home to Villarreal the previous weekend.

Their UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey runs have clearly tired the players, with the squad suffering a high number of muscle injuries, while the high-intensity style of coach Imanol Alguacil has seen the team run out of gas in the second half of previous campaigns.

The club's season now depends largely on overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night and if they fail to do that, the rest of the campaign will be an uphill battle to return to Europe next season. Enditem

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