It's all getting a bit nervy in Madrid. Real have endured a turbulent few weeks, dropping points to Real Sociedad and Villarreal, while Barcelona continue to win. And it got worse on Sunday, with Los Blancos turning in a lifeless performance against Mallorca, crumbling to a 1-0 defeat and giving their arch-rivals a real chance to pull away in the title race.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was injured in the warm-up, but there was little back-up Andriy Lunin could do about Mallorca's opener, as Vedat Muriqi glanced his header off Nacho, who helped the ball loop into the net after 13 minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti's side responded with long spells of possession, but had little to show for it. This was mostly a makeshift Madrid side, with Karim Benzema and Eder Militao out with injuries, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric were only named among the substitutes.
Real have made a habit of dramatic comebacks in the last 18 months, but this time, it didn't come off. Marco Asensio wasted their best chance, missing from the penalty spot after Vinicius Junior was fouled, but they struggled to create many more clear-cut chances.
Barcelona, meanwhile, were likely laughing, and have the chance to move themselves well clear at the top with a win over Sevilla later on Sunday.