FC Barcelona have not been able to free themselves from their sporting crisis even after coach Ronald Koeman was kicked out.
The Catalans did not get past a 1: 1 (0: 0) against Deportivo Alaves in the league home game on Saturday evening and are currently in ninth place in the table.
Under the direction of interim coach Sergi Barjuan, Barça took the lead with a magnificent goal from Memphis Depay in the 49th minute.
But only three minutes later Luis Rioja equalized for the guests, Barcelona's defense once again did not cut a good figure.
After two previous defeats, the controversial Koeman had to vacate his post this week. Club legend Xavi is the desired successor. In the table, the cup winner is now eight points behind leaders Real Madrid. Sergio Agüero's departure caused concern. The Argentine lay dazed on the ground after an aerial duel, was treated for a few minutes and then led off the pitch (41st). Aguero grabbed his chest and apparently had difficulty breathing. He was taken to hospital for a heart examination, the association announced on Twitter that evening.
With Toni Kroos in the starting line-up, Los Blancos enjoyed their seventh win of the season in the Spanish football championship. Coach Carlo Ancelotti's team won 2-1 (1-0) against outsider FC Elche on Saturday without injured striker Karim Benzema. Less than a week after the 2-1 win in Clásico against FC Barcelona, the Brazilian Vinicius Junior (22nd and 73rd minutes) scored both goals for the Spanish runners-up.
But also Elche, who was almost relegated in the previous season, created chances to score and came through the substitute Pere Milla (86th) to the late goal.
After a yellow-red for Raul Guti, Elche had to make do with nine field players for about half an hour.
This means that the royal team are back in front with 24 points, ahead of Sevilla FC, Real Sociedad San Sebastian (also 24) and Betis Sevilla (21).