Spain's biggest three clubs, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, find themselves in the bizarre situation of having made poor starts to the campaign by their usual high standards while not losing any ground in the La Liga title race.

Champions Barca dropped points for the third game in a row on Saturday when they salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao with a late equaliser.

Even after drawing at home with Girona and sliding to a shock 2-1 defeat at minnows Leganes during the week, Barca remain on top of the standings on goal difference.

That is because Real Madrid failed to win for the third time in four league outings, drawing 0-0 with Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

"Leaders, despite everything," said the front page of the Barcelona-based newspaper&nbsp;Sport.

Real have the same number of points as they did after seven games last season.

Yet whereas they were seven points adrift of Barca at this stage of the last campaign, which they finished an astonishing 17 points off the pace, now they are locked on 14 points with the Catalans at the summit.

No team has led the La Liga standings with such a low number of points after seven games since the 1993-94 season.

Real and Barca's twin struggles contrast with their ruthless form of a few years ago, with Real sweeping to the 2011-12 title with 100 points and the Catalans racking up a century of points the following season.

Atletico, the only serious challenger to the duopoly of Real and Barca in the last 14 years and who won the title in 2014, have made their worst ever start to a season under coach Diego Simeone in taking 12 points from seven games.

They remain, however, only two points behind their usual rivals, sitting fourth.

Sevilla have benefited the most from the stumbling form of the usual suspects and are currently third after winning three games on the bounce, including thrashing Real 3-0 last Wednesday.

Surprise package Alaves, meanwhile, could join Real and Barca at the top of the table if they beat Levante on Sunday.

'FORGOTTEN HOW TO SCORE'

Real coach Julen Lopetegui remained calm despite his side's worrying form in front of goal, scoring only twice in four games. Daily Marca remarked that the European champions have "forgotten how to score".

"The season is going to be very tough and very long," said Lopetegui after the 0-0 draw with Atletico.

"We don't focus on our rivals, we focus on ourselves. We're only seven games into the season and everything is to play for. I'm happy because the team showed pride, personality and played good football."

Barca defender Jordi Alba, meanwhile, was fiercely critical of his side after they took two points from a possible nine.

"That's three games where we haven't won, it's clear that we need to change things to start winning again," he said.

"We're not relaxed at all, we have to look at many aspects of our game. But this has only just begun, despite not winning, we're still at the top of the table and that means the league is very equal.

"Teams that you would think cannot beat you are doing so. We have to change a lot of things and each of us has to give 100 percent."

Spain's biggest three clubs, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, find themselves in the bizarre situation of having made poor starts to the campaign by their usual high standards while not losing any ground in the La Liga title race.

Spain's biggest three clubs, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, find themselves in the bizarre situation of having made poor starts to the campaign by their usual high standards while not losing any ground in the La Liga title race. Champions Barca dropped points for the third game in a row on Saturday when they salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao with a late equaliser. Even after drawing at home with Girona and sliding to a shock 2-1 defeat at minnows Leganes during the week, Barca remain on top of the standings on goal difference. That is because Real Madrid failed to win for the third time in four league outings, drawing 0-0 with Atletico Madrid on Saturday. "Leaders, despite everything," said the front page of the Barcelona-based newspaper Sport. Real have the same number of points as they did after seven games last season. Yet whereas they were seven points adrift of Barca at this stage of the last campaign, which they finished an astonishing 17 points off the pace, now they are locked on 14 points with the Catalans at the summit. No team has led the La Liga standings with such a low number of points after seven games since the 1993-94 season. Real and Barca's twin struggles contrast with their ruthless form of a few years ago, with Real sweeping to the 2011-12 title with 100 points and the Catalans racking up a century of points the following season. Atletico, the only serious challenger to the duopoly of Real and Barca in the last 14 years and who won the title in 2014, have made their worst ever start to a season under coach Diego Simeone in taking 12 points from seven games. They remain, however, only two points behind their usual rivals, sitting fourth. Sevilla have benefited the most from the stumbling form of the usual suspects and are currently third after winning three games on the bounce, including thrashing Real 3-0 last Wednesday. Surprise package Alaves, meanwhile, could join Real and Barca at the top of the table if they beat Levante on Sunday. 'FORGOTTEN HOW TO SCORE' Real coach Julen Lopetegui remained calm despite his side's worrying form in front of goal, scoring only twice in four games. Daily Marca remarked that the European champions have "forgotten how to score". "The season is going to be very tough and very long," said Lopetegui after the 0-0 draw with Atletico. "We don't focus on our rivals, we focus on ourselves. We're only seven games into the season and everything is to play for. I'm happy because the team showed pride, personality and played good football." Barca defender Jordi Alba, meanwhile, was fiercely critical of his side after they took two points from a possible nine. "That's three games where we haven't won, it's clear that we need to change things to start winning again," he said. "We're not relaxed at all, we have to look at many aspects of our game. But this has only just begun, despite not winning, we're still at the top of the table and that means the league is very equal. "Teams that you would think cannot beat you are doing so. We have to change a lot of things and each of us has to give 100 percent."

La Liga wide open as Real, Barca, Atletico stumble

Struggling Barcelona are still the best team in the world, according to the manager of their next opponents Atletico Madrid.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone said despite the &quot;one bad game against Paris&quot;, Barcelona remain the team to beat in Europe.

Luis Enrique&#39;s Barcelona have had a nightmarish recent days, with his team being thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League and then producing a sluggish performance to beat lowly Leganes last weekend.

And despite Atletico being the favourites to march to the quarter-finals of Europe&#39;s elite club competition after producing a stunning 4-2 awat performance against Bayer Leverkusen, Simeone said: &quot;Barcelona are still the best in the world.&quot;

&quot;We played three extraordinary halves against them and still didn&#39;t get through, that shows that they are better.&quot;

Simeone was referring to the last three matches his team has played against the blaugranas.

A poor opening first 45 minutes in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie cost Atletico dear as wonder goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi put Barca well on their way to a 3-2 aggregate win.

Luis Enrique, meanwhile, is hoping a first midweek off since the turn of the year is what Barca needed to recharge their batteries and recover their form.

&quot;It is the first free midweek we have had in 2017. The schedule has been brutal and it is evident that takes its toll,&quot; said Enrique.

&quot;The week allowed us to work on things, for the team to rest and analyse what is going on with the team.&quot;

Real Madrid&#39;s defeat to Valencia in midweek means Barca still trail their title rivals by just a point.

And Luis Enrique&#39;s men can go top for at least a few hours with victory at the Vicente Calderon, with Madrid not in action until later on Sunday at Villarreal.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Diego Simeone shrugged off talks of Barcelona's frailties, saying that every team can have 'one bad day' as they did against PSG

Struggling Barcelona are still the best team in the world, according to the manager of their next opponents Atletico Madrid. Atletico boss Diego Simeone said despite the "one bad game against Paris", Barcelona remain the team to beat in Europe. Luis Enrique's Barcelona have had a nightmarish recent days, with his team being thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League and then producing a sluggish performance to beat lowly Leganes last weekend. And despite Atletico being the favourites to march to the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition after producing a stunning 4-2 awat performance against Bayer Leverkusen, Simeone said: "Barcelona are still the best in the world." "We played three extraordinary halves against them and still didn't get through, that shows that they are better." Simeone was referring to the last three matches his team has played against the blaugranas. A poor opening first 45 minutes in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie cost Atletico dear as wonder goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi put Barca well on their way to a 3-2 aggregate win. Luis Enrique, meanwhile, is hoping a first midweek off since the turn of the year is what Barca needed to recharge their batteries and recover their form. "It is the first free midweek we have had in 2017. The schedule has been brutal and it is evident that takes its toll," said Enrique. "The week allowed us to work on things, for the team to rest and analyse what is going on with the team." Real Madrid's defeat to Valencia in midweek means Barca still trail their title rivals by just a point. And Luis Enrique's men can go top for at least a few hours with victory at the Vicente Calderon, with Madrid not in action until later on Sunday at Villarreal. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Barcelona are still the best, insists Atletico manager

Luis Suarez booked Barcelona&#39;s place in a fourth consecutive Copa del Rey final but was sent off as a bad-tempered 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday secured a 3-2 aggregate win.

Suarez&#39;s second goal of the tie looked to have put the semi-final beyond the visitors just before half-time.

However, the Uruguayan was one of three players sent-off in a pulsating second-half and will miss May&#39;s final against Alaves or Celta Vigo.

Kevin Gameiro set up a grandstand finish seven minutes from time moments after blazing a penalty over the bar.

But Barca saw out five minutes of stoppage time with nine men after Suarez&#39;s first red card for the club.

Atletico needed a first win at the Camp Nou since 2006 to have any chance of overturning a 2-1 first leg deficit inflicted by stunning goals from Suarez and Lionel Messi.

Yet, the visitors nearly secured the perfect start with a lightning counter-attack from a Barca corner that ended with Yannick Carrasco stinging the palms of Jasper Cillessen.

The Dutch goalkeeper also saved a long range effort from Koke before Filipe Luis&#39;s volley flew just wide.

Barca took 27 minutes to have an effort on goal when Messi&#39;s low drive was held by Miguel Angel Moya.

However, Atletico&#39;s intense early pressing eased as the half wore on and Barca went in front just before half-time thanks to more magic from Messi and Suarez.

Messi sucked in the Atletico defence and when his effort from the edge of the area was parried by Moya, Suarez gobbled up the rebound for his 23rd goal of the season.

Atletico were dealt an injury blow at the start of the second period as Diego Godin had to be replaced by Lucas Hernandez just five days after the French defender was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

However, the visitors were given a glimmer of hope just before the hour mark when Sergi Roberto dived in on Luis and was deservedly shown a second yellow card.

That hope should have been bolstered moments later when Antoine Griezmann smashed the ball inside Cillessen&#39;s far post, but was wrongly flagged offside.

Barca&#39;s nerves were eased when Atletico were also reduced to 10 men 21 minutes from time when a slip from Carrasco saw him wipe out Arda Turan, the Belgian also being shown a second yellow card.

Messi&#39;s incredible run of scoring free-kicks in 2017 nearly continued with a driven effort from fully 35 yards that came crashing back off the bar.

Atletico were given a lifeline when Gerard Pique was adjudged to have tripped Gameiro inside the area with 10 minutes remaining.

Griezmann had missed his fifth penalty in seven attempts at the weekend and handed over responsiblity to his compatriot, but Gameiro blazed over.

Just three minutes later, though, the two combined to great effect as Griezmann&#39;s decision to cross rather than shoot caught the Barca defence off guard and Gameiro rolled into an empty net.

Atletico then pilled on the pressure in search of a winning goal on the night to send the game into extra time.

Suarez was the thrid player to be shown a second yellow for a stray elbow on Koke.

But a great block from Samuel Umtiti to divert Luis&#39;s goalbound drive preserved Barca&#39;s incredible record of not having lost a tie to anyone other than Real Madrid in the Cup sine 2010.

(AFP)

Barcelona's Luis Suarez brandished his Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde self as he scored one and got sent off in an ill-tempered match

Luis Suarez booked Barcelona's place in a fourth consecutive Copa del Rey final but was sent off as a bad-tempered 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday secured a 3-2 aggregate win. Suarez's second goal of the tie looked to have put the semi-final beyond the visitors just before half-time. However, the Uruguayan was one of three players sent-off in a pulsating second-half and will miss May's final against Alaves or Celta Vigo. Kevin Gameiro set up a grandstand finish seven minutes from time moments after blazing a penalty over the bar. But Barca saw out five minutes of stoppage time with nine men after Suarez's first red card for the club. Atletico needed a first win at the Camp Nou since 2006 to have any chance of overturning a 2-1 first leg deficit inflicted by stunning goals from Suarez and Lionel Messi. Yet, the visitors nearly secured the perfect start with a lightning counter-attack from a Barca corner that ended with Yannick Carrasco stinging the palms of Jasper Cillessen. The Dutch goalkeeper also saved a long range effort from Koke before Filipe Luis's volley flew just wide. Barca took 27 minutes to have an effort on goal when Messi's low drive was held by Miguel Angel Moya. However, Atletico's intense early pressing eased as the half wore on and Barca went in front just before half-time thanks to more magic from Messi and Suarez. Messi sucked in the Atletico defence and when his effort from the edge of the area was parried by Moya, Suarez gobbled up the rebound for his 23rd goal of the season. Atletico were dealt an injury blow at the start of the second period as Diego Godin had to be replaced by Lucas Hernandez just five days after the French defender was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. However, the visitors were given a glimmer of hope just before the hour mark when Sergi Roberto dived in on Luis and was deservedly shown a second yellow card. That hope should have been bolstered moments later when Antoine Griezmann smashed the ball inside Cillessen's far post, but was wrongly flagged offside. Barca's nerves were eased when Atletico were also reduced to 10 men 21 minutes from time when a slip from Carrasco saw him wipe out Arda Turan, the Belgian also being shown a second yellow card. Messi's incredible run of scoring free-kicks in 2017 nearly continued with a driven effort from fully 35 yards that came crashing back off the bar. Atletico were given a lifeline when Gerard Pique was adjudged to have tripped Gameiro inside the area with 10 minutes remaining. Griezmann had missed his fifth penalty in seven attempts at the weekend and handed over responsiblity to his compatriot, but Gameiro blazed over. Just three minutes later, though, the two combined to great effect as Griezmann's decision to cross rather than shoot caught the Barca defence off guard and Gameiro rolled into an empty net. Atletico then pilled on the pressure in search of a winning goal on the night to send the game into extra time. Suarez was the thrid player to be shown a second yellow for a stray elbow on Koke. But a great block from Samuel Umtiti to divert Luis's goalbound drive preserved Barca's incredible record of not having lost a tie to anyone other than Real Madrid in the Cup sine 2010. (AFP)

Copa del Rey: Barcelona through to final after beating Atletico Madrid