MADRID, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona's title hopes took a major step backwards on Saturday when they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Getafe.
The draw sees Barca slip to four points behind Real Madrid in the BBVA Primera Liga, but just as worrying for Barca as the dropped points was an attacking performance which saw them fail to create a single chance from open play.
Barca failed to get their slick passing game working and their best chance came 7 minutes after halftime when Leo Messi rattled the Getafe crossbar with a free kick before testing Getafe keeper Vicente Guaita with another free kick just before the hour.
Angel Lafita went closest for Getafe, forcing a fingertip save from Claudio Bravo in the Barca goal in the first half.
Real Madrid had put Barca under pressure on Friday night with a 4-1 win in Almeria which was much harder than the scoreline may suggest.
Isco put the visitors ahead after the half hour, before Verza scored an excellent equalizer soon afterwards. Almeria's joy was short lived, however, as a Gareth Bale header restored Real Madrid' s advantage before the break, although things would have changed had Verza not seen a second half penalty saved by Iker Casillas, before to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo in the last 10 minutes helped put some makeup on the final score.
Valencia got back to winning ways after four matches without a victory, thanks to a stunning first half at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Sophaine Feghouli scored twice for Valencia and Pablo Piatti's pace on the break helped put Valencia 3-0 up at halftime and despite losing Andre Gomez for a second yellow card 20 minutes from time, they had few problems in holding on for all three points.
Finally Cordoba and Levante drew 0-0 in a result that will probably please Levante more than the home side, who nevertheless climb out of the relegation zone.