Luka Modric scored a brilliant goal from long range to help Real Madrid secure a 2-0 win against Girona on Sunday which took them back level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Earlier Athletic Bilbao and Getafe shared another 1-1 draw in the season's opening clash.
The club, in La Liga for only the fourth season in their history, beat Barcelona 4-2 at their tiny Montilivi stadium to secure a top four finish.
Real Madrid, who have lost only once in the league this season, hold a 13-point advantage over second-placed Girona while Barcelona dropped to third
Barcelona will be favourites when they visit Girona on Saturday but the hosts are ready to seize a historic opportunity to beat them in front of their own fans, Girona manager Michel said on Friday.
The Catalan side have 68 points, seven ahead of Atletico Madrid, who visit Alaves on Sunday, and 10 clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who drew 1-1 at home to Granada on Friday.
La Liga leaders Real Madrid regained their seven-point cushion at the top on Sunday as they benefited from two own goals in a comfortable 4-0 home win over struggling Celta Vigo.
"Getting the three points at home is the most important thing to be at the top," said defender Yan Couto.
After Real Madrid drew in Valencia the night before, surprising title challengers Girona had a chance to reverse their recent slump and regain some ground.
Girona have been the surprise package of the season and have stretched their unbeaten streak to 11 league games.
Girona, part-owned by the owners of Manchester City, opened up a two-point lead over Real Madrid after a straightforward victory.
Girona defeated their Catalan rivals for the first time ever in the top flight in a pulsating battle to rise two points above Real Madrid, second, after their 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Saturday.
"Will they feel the pressure in the last part of the season? They might. But we said the same of Leicester," said Garcia
Coach Michel is determined to enjoy Girona's "history-making" La Liga run after Saturday's 2-1 win over Valencia 2-1 and not think about the title race because his team are "not at that level".
Winger Viktor Tsygankov put the hosts ahead 10 minutes after half time but Inaki Williams scored 12 minutes later to claim a point for the away side
Inspired by Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid showed both steel and class to beat high-flying Girona 3-0 on Saturday and move back top of La Liga.
Barcelona has re-signed former academy player Oriol Romeu from Girona with the midfielder signing a three-year deal, the LaLiga champions said on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo could face another ban after the forward pushed Girona defender Pere Pons on the face during Real Madrid 2-1 defeat, media reports suggest.
After watching Barcelona cope ably with the distraction of political tension sweeping across Spain in recent weeks, it is Real Madrid's turn to head into the eye of the storm on Sunday when they travel to Girona.
