La Liga: Real Madrid suffer longest goal drought, Barca back to top but Messi injured

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Real Madrid failed to ease the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui and instead set the record for the longest goal-drought in the club's history during a surprise 2-1 defeat by Levante on Saturday.

Madrid have now gone five games without a victory, even though Marcelo's powerful 72nd-minute strike against Levante finally ended Real's run of 481 minutes of normal time without a goal.

The club's previous worst run had been 464 minutes, in 1985.

Roger Marti of Levante scores during the game against Real Madrid in Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain on October 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

Asked about his future, Lopetegui said: "It is the last thing I am thinking about. I am thinking only about lifting the players."

Madrid player Marcelo said: "We are with the coach until the death."

Paco Lopez took charge of Levante in March and oversaw eight wins from 11 to avoid relegation. This season they are now seventh, a point behind Madrid.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona reclaimed top spot in La Liga standings on Saturday night thanks to a 4-2 win at home to Sevilla, but Barca's all-time top scorer and captain Lionel Messi will be out of action for three weeks after he fractured his right arm during the game.

It means that Messi will now miss Barca's Champions League game at home to Inter Milan on Wednesday, the return game in Milan on November 6, as well as the season's first Clasico against Real Madrid next Sunday, as Real Madrid four points adrift of Barcelona.

Messi gestures in pain during the game. /VCG Photo

"Obviously it's a considerable loss," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, "We know what he gives us and what we miss when he is not around. We have to deal with it and we will be prepared. It's clear that we will notice his absence, but we will cope and we have resources, even though we will be facing some very difficult teams."

Barca defender Gerard Pique admitted Messi's absence would have an impact on the team but backed his side to come through.

"He gives us a lot of peace of mind when he is around but we don't have to suffer without him," he said.

"There's a big difference between having him on the pitch or not but we have a strong enough team to win games whether he plays or not."

(With input from Reuters and AFP)