MADRID: Tata Martino’s job as coach of Barcelona was hanging by a thread after their Champions League exit was followed by a surprise 1-0 Liga defeat at Granada.

That left the Spanish champions’ bid for a fifth league title in six years in danger and further undermined morale ahead of Wednesday’s Spanish cup final against Real Madrid.

Victory would have lifted Barcelona, at least briefly, ahead of European conquerors Atletico Madrid at the top of the table. However they were punished by Yacine Brahimi in the 16th minute after Alex Song lost possession in midfield.

Real Madrid regained second spot with a comfortable 4-0 win over Almeria on goals from Angel Di Maria, Gareth Bale, Isco and substitute Alvaro Morata.

In Germany Pep Guardiola suffered his worst defeat as a coach as champions re-elect Bayern Munich collapsed 3-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund.

This was Bavarians’ second league defeat in a row after a record 53-game unbeaten run in former Barcelona coach Guardiola’s first season in charge.

Bayern also had Brazilian Rafinha sent off for slapping Henrikh Mkhitaryan in stoppage time.

Mkhitaryan, Marco Reus and Jonas Hofman scored the goals and Bayern were further handicapped by a calf muscle injury which forced the substitution of keeper Manuel Neuer.

In France Monaco delayed Paris Saint-Germain’s title celebrations when they snatched a 1-0 win at Rennes on a second-half strike from Emmanuel Riviere. PSG – who have already offered a new contract to coach Laurent Blanc – visit Lyon on Sunday.

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