For about 20 minutes on Sunday, Real Madrid looked almost set to retain their La Liga crown.

Nacho Fernandez scored for Los Blancos in their away game against Athletic Bilbao in the 68th minute, putting the club on top of the points table with city rivals Atletico locked 0-0 against Osasuna.

And when Ante Budimir gave Osasuna a shock lead in the 75th, it looked like Real would go into the final matchday with a one-point advantage over Atletico thanks to their win at Bilbao’s San Mames arena.

Those in the stands at San Mames were keeping an eye on what was happening back in the Spanish capital more than what was going on in Bilbao. The minutes ticked away and the clock entered the last 10 minutes with Los Blancos sniffing a chance.

But Brazilian left back Renan Lodi equalised for Atletico in the 82nd minute and though that sped up the tempo of Los Rojiblancos’ play, Zinedine Zidane’s side were still within touching distance of the title due to their superior head-to-head advantage.

Yet, with two minutes to go, an old enemy in Luis Suarez turned up to end his goal drought and send his Atletico teammates into a state of frenzy. The La Liga title, as it was coming into Saturday, was back in Los Colchoneros’ hands.

With Lionel Messi’s Barcelona now out of the equation, Real Madrid’s chances depend on Diego Simeone’s side not winning their game away at struggling Real Valladolid on Saturday. And Zidane’s men have to beat seventh-placed Villarreal.

Simeone had talked up Suarez’s big-game experience ahead of the match, saying Atletico were “entering the Suarez zone”.

“Suarez has so much experience and who better than him to resolve a game like that when it looked to be slipping away from us,” Simeone told reporters.

Suarez said he had not expected the game to be so difficult. “Everyone tells you that suffering is part of Atletico’s identity but I didn’t think we’d suffer that much,” the Uruguayan said.

Zinedine Zidane. File photo

Not leaving: Zidane

Real coach Zidane played down reports linking him with an exit from the club, saying the game against Villarreal is the only thing he and the team are focusing on.

“How could I tell the players I’m leaving now? We’re giving our everything for the title and I just say ‘by the way, I’m off’?” Zidane said.

“People outside the club can say whatever they like, but I would never, ever say that to my players.”

Ronald Koeman. File photo

Koeman mum

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman refused to answer questions on his future after his side slumped to a disappointing 1-2 loss at home to Celta Vigo, which means they can at best finish third in this season.

Local media reported on Sunday that the club have opened negotiations with former midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who is currently in charge of Qatari side Al-Sadd, as pressure builds on the Dutchman after a disappointing first campaign in charge.

“My future? That’s not a question for me. I won’t talk about it. I said what I think in my press conference (pre-game) and I won’t repeat it,” Koeman said after the Celta defeat.