History not on Real's side

A draw in Saturday's Madrid derby left both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid 10 points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona. In other terms that represents a difference that can be overturned in the span of four matches, a gap that has occurred only seven times in the league's history.

Although this difference has been wiped out on five of the seven occasions, it hasn't been done in over 20 years -- and never by Real.

That is not to say Los Blancos do not have memories of such comebacks. However there isn't much to take hope from for Real as they have unfortunately only been on the receiving end, and that too a historic three times.

From 1929 to 1995 a win in Spanish football was only worth two points, so four games represented a difference of eight points. Since the change of rules to awarding three points for a win in 1996, such a gap has not been seen.

In the most spectacular comeback, Real lost a 7 point lead to archrivals Barcelona in the National League Championship's 1928-29 season with only 11 games to play.

Real also surrendered a four-game difference in the 1949-50 season. Atletico had then overturned a seven-point difference.  But they were soon on the receiving end, losing a seven point lead over Barcelona in the 1951-52 season with 23 matches to go.

Barcelona repeated their heroics two years later, overturning Espanyol's seven-point advantage to return the title to their stadium at the time, the Estadio Les Corts.

Finally, Real Sociedad were crowned champions in 1981 after clawing back a seven point deficit and pipping Atletico to the title.