Barcelona's Ronald Araujo (center) kicks the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Villarreal at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Jan 27, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

MADRID - The main story of the weekend in La Liga was Saturday's announcement by FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez that he would step down at the end of June.

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Xavi made his announcement following his side's chaotic 5-3 defeat at home to Villarreal, which once saw them claw their way back with goals from Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach.

Barcelona's head coach Xavi Hernandez reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Villarreal at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Jan 27, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri and an Eric Baily's own goal once turned the game around, but Goncalo Guedes scored an excellent third for Villarreal, and after the VAR ruled out a Barcelona penalty appeal, Alexander Sorloth and Jose Luis Morales won the game for the visitors.

Girona remain top of La Liga and are 11 points ahead of Barca, as they recovered from their midweek Copa del Rey exit in Mallorca with a 1-0 win away to Celta Vigo on Sunday

Girona remain top of La Liga and are 11 points ahead of Barca, as they recovered from their midweek Copa del Rey exit in Mallorca with a 1-0 win away to Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Both sides rested player in their respective cup defeats in midweek, but Girona's quality was decisive as Portu collected the ball on just inside the Celta area, beat a defender and scored with a shot across Vicente Guaita to pile the pressure on Celta coach Rafa Benitez.

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Substitute Aurelian Tchouameni headed an 83rd minute winner for Real Madrid to complete a comeback away to Las Palmas, who ran out of steam in the closing minutes.

Javi Munoz put Las Palmas ahead in the 53rd minute, but Vinicius Jr equalized for Real Madrid 12 minutes later.

Girona's Argentinian goalkeeper #13 Paulo Gazzaniga (top) jumps over Celta Vigo's Spanish defender #28 Carlos Dominguez during the Spanish league football match between RC Celta de Vigo and Girona FC at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on Jan 28, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Atletico Madrid move third after a 2-0 win at home to Valencia, which ended the visitors' four-game winning run.

Samuel Lino opened the scoring after a defense-splitting pass on the stroke of halftime and Memphis Depay doubled Atletico's lead from close range after a low cross from Nahuel Molina.

Maurico Pellegrino made his debut as Cadiz coach with a 0-0 draw at home to Athletic Club Bilbao that extends their winless run to 18 games. 

Valencia's Spanish midfielder #18 Jose Luis Garcia Vaya 'Pepelu' takes a free kick as Atletico Madrid's Spanish forward #19 Alvaro Morata deflects the ball during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Valencia CF at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on Jan 28, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Athletic looked jaded after 120 minutes in the cup on Wednesday, but should have had a penalty in the 93rd minute after Cadiz defender Fali clearly elbowed Nico Williams.

Sevilla remain deep in trouble after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Osasuna. Sevilla's young striker Isaac Romero continued his impressive form with his fourth goal in five games. Ante Budimir leveled for Osasuna early in the second half following a corner.

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Rayo Vallecano frustrated Real Sociedad in a 0-0 draw in San Sebastian where the home side lacked their usual sharpness

Sergi Altamira's 45th minute shot from outside of the penalty area gave Betis a 1-0 win away to Mallorca, who also looked after their midweek cup efforts.

The round of matches began on Friday night as Alaves striker Samu Omorodion scored twice and won a penalty as his side won 3-0 away to bottom side Almeria.