Barca's run of 11 straight wins ended by Malaga

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic (R) gestures during the Spanish First division soccer match against Malaga at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona February 21, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

DIFFERENT TEST

"We will face a different type of team in the Champions League," said Busquets.

Barca almost levelled straight after conceding the early goal when Rafinha's drive from the edge of the area was cleared off the line.

The expected onslaught from Barca never materialised and most surprising was the performance of Messi who repeatedly gave the ball away.

Substitute Pedro Rodriguez wasted a late chance to grab an equaliser when his shot from inside the area hit the side-netting.

Atletico showed the intensity that was missing in their defeat last weekend by Celta Vigo and victory over Almeria never looked in doubt after Mario Mandzukic converted a 13th-minute penalty following a foul by Tomer Hemed on Diego Godin.

Mandzukic was then twice the provider for a clinical Griezmann who struck after 20 and 29 minutes before Atletico eased off in the second half.

In injury time Atletico full back Guilherme Siqueira was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for handball.

"It was vital for our situation and morale to win after the Vigo result," said coach Diego Simeone before repeating again that his target was to finish third.

"We are only thinking of the fight with Sevilla and Valencia. We all know there is much more to the league than just Madrid and Barcelona."

Fourth-placed Valencia kept their Champions League hopes on track after a late Pablo Piatti strike earned a 2-1 victory at Cordoba.

Nabil Ghilas had converted a penalty, following a foul by Nicolas Otamendi on Heldon Ramos, to bring Cordoba level midway through the second half after Andre Gomes' opener.

Piatti then fortuitously got the winner nine minutes from the end as he struck a volley into the ground and it looped over Mikel Saizar into the net.

Second-half goals from Charles Dias and Joaquin Larrivey gave eighth-placed Celta a 2-0 victory at Deportivo La Coruna who had defender Alberto Lopo sent off in the 73rd minute.