Champions Barcelona were left frustrated as they squandered a chance to close the gap with La Liga leaders Real Madrid after being held to a lacklustre 0-0 draw at Athletic Club on Sunday.

With Real dropping points on Saturday following a 2-2 draw at Valencia, Barca were hoping to secure the win that would help them to close the gap with the pace setters and also enable them to leapfrog Girona into second place in the standings.

Instead, Sunday’s stalemate meant they still trail Real by eight points and remain one-point adrift of surprise package Girona, who are on 59 after suffering a 1-0 loss at Mallorca earlier in the day.

Athletic, who entered the contest on the back of a 10-match winning streak at home in all competitions, are fifth in the standings with 50 points, five behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

After a tepid first-half, the home side were more aggressive following the interval, with Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer a constant menace. But they were frustrated by a solid Barca defence that withstood the late pressure to secure a point away from home.

Reality check

High-flying Girona came crashing back to earth with a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Mallorca on Sunday, a third consecutive loss away from home that provided another reality check to the Catalans’ lofty title ambitions.

Girona, the season’s early pacesetters, were unbeaten in 15 successive league games until their 4-0 thrashing by Real Madrid three weeks ago, and they have not been the same since, winning just one of their last five.

Jose Copete scored the winner in the 33rd minute pouncing on a loose ball to find the top corner and Mallorca held on to their narrow lead with a flawless defensive performance.