Atletico Madrid’s faint hopes of chasing down runaway Liga leaders Barcelona suffered a fresh blow on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Girona, meaning they could fall 11 points adrift if the Catalans beat Real Betis on Sunday.
Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann capitalised on a cushioned Diego Costa header to volley them ahead in the 34th minute and score for the first time in five league games, but Liga debutants Girona have caused problems for the top teams all season and hit back.
Elsewhere, Sevilla's new coach Vincenzo Montella earned his first win in La Liga at the third attempt earlier on Saturday as his impressive side secured a 3-0 win at Espanyol to go fifth in the standings, reports Reuters.
Valencia succumbed to a surprise 2-1 defeat at basement club Las Palmas, who earned a first win under coach Paco Jemez as the visitors finished the game with nine men.
Gabriel Paulista was shown two yellow cards in quick succession and fellow defender Ruben Vezo was also sent off.
Villarreal provisionally knocked champions Real Madrid out of the top four after beating Levante 2-1 to go fourth, although Zinedine Zidane’s side can climb back above them if they beat struggling Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.
Atletico are second in the standings on 43 points after 20 games, Valencia are third on 40 and Villarreal fourth on 34. Barca are top with 51 and have played one game fewer, while Real have 32 points after 18 games.