Lionel Messi will be out for up to eight weeks with knee ligament damage sustained in Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday.

Barca's troubles were eased, though, as Real Madrid remains a point behind the Catalans after being held 0-0 at home by Malaga.

Villarreal now leads La Liga as Leo Baptistao scored the only goal of the game against his parent club Atletico Madrid.