GERARD Pique of Barcelona (left) attacks the defense of Karim Benzema of Real Madrid during the El Clasico Spanish League football match. AFP

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — The first Clasico stalemate in 17 years means Barcelona will likely finish the 2019 on top of La Liga if it beats Alaves despite a distinctly underwhelming opening half of the season.

Barca has lacked purpose and clarity in recent months and three defeats in the league is already more than it endured in the entirety of its title-winning run last term.

“Gray, but surviving — Barcelona is still the leader,” read the headline in Madrid daily AS.

None of its rivals have been able to take advantage, not even Real Madrid, who was the better team for long spells of a scrappy contest, but failed to make it count.

Madrid had failed to take its chances in the title race too and is still level on points with Barcelona and two behind on goal difference after missing opportunities to jump above its rivals last weekend and again in midweek.

It might be harsh to judge draws away at Mestalla against Valencia and then Camp Nou as slip-ups, yet a Barcelona team, which has been in second gear and was without an injured Lionel Messi for several weeks is still sitting top of the pile.

“We deserved a little more but that’s football, we lacked a bit of ruthlessness in the final third,” Zinedine Zidane said.

“We would have liked to win but it was even and the league is too,” said Ernesto Valverde.

When Zidane came under heavy pressure following a 1-0 defeat to Real Mallorca in October, he might well have taken this position; five points clear of third, ahead of the last game before the winter break.

His team has motored in recent weeks and is unbeaten in 12 matches. It would be a surprise if it did not add another victory at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Madrid has the momentum and the next Clasico is at the Santiago Bernabeu, too.

“We are on a great run,” said Sergio Ramos after the game. “The dynamic is strong. We feel fresh and everything is positive.

“The season stops at the end of the year when, to be honest, we would like it to continue. But that’s how it is and we have to maintain the momentum after the break.”

If Barcelona has been disappointing, it might also have greater potential for improvement.

Messi is fit and firing again, Antoine Griezmann has shown signs he is finding his feet and Frenkie de Jong seems to get better every week.

If a stumbling Barca can set the pace at the top, perhaps it could pull away if it hit its stride.

Atletico Madrid, which travels to Real Betis on Sunday, will hope to accelerate soon too, possibly with the help of a new striker in January to ease their chronic problems in front of goal.

Seven points is a big gap to close, especially as Diego Simeone’s side have trips to both Barcelona and Real Madrid in January and February.

Sevilla is ahead of Atletico, although defeat at home to Villarreal and a draw away at Osasuna checked an otherwise excellent start under Julen Lopetegui. They will face Mallorca on Saturday.

Getafe sits fourth ahead of a trip to Villarreal as it continues to prove that its remarkable challenge for Champions League qualification last season was not a fluke.

Jose Bordalas’ team will be seeking its seventh consecutive victory.