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By Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro)

Football likes to play with us. The game we love is fond of toying with our emotions in cruel fashion with quirks and twists that bind us ever tighter to the sport. Saturday evening in La Liga was one such occasion, the night which had been underlined as being one of the most crucial in the title run in. Real Madrid had as expected seen off Eibar 3-0 at the Bernabeu, after which all eyes turned south.

The next game saw Atletico in action on the Costa Del Sol, with Malaga holding Diego Simeone's men to a 2-2 draw. That was the pleasing starter for Madridistas ahead of the main course of expectancy, a mouthwatering encounter served with extra helpings of hope, Sevilla hosting Barcelona. 

Madrid needed a favor from the Andalusians and that was precisely one of those footballing quirks that makes the game so intriguing. For Real Madrid and Sevilla fans do not like each other.

It is a little known rivalry outside of Spain, but here the sentiments on both sides are strong, so strong that one Madridista in the bar by the Bernabeu where I watched the game turned me and said "you know what, I think I actually hate Sevilla more than Barcelona".

He was not the only one to be voicing his displeasure at needing a favor from a sworn enemy.

It is hard to know exactly where the rivalry stems from, and perhaps it is little more than animosity between two sides who are the biggest and most successful in their respective regions. There is also however a general divergence of political ideologies among those associated with the clubs, with Sevilla's ultras being extremely left wing, while many Madrid supporters lean to the right of centre on the political spectrum.

Also contributing to the ill feeling is the fact that over the last decade Sevilla have proved a serious force both domestically and on the European stage, both areas where Real Madrid feel they should dominate. The emergence of the Andalusians as a top side has without doubt added bite to an already fiery rivalry.

Yet when the Kevin Gameiro equalized on Saturday night there was no doubt where the allegiances of every Real Madrid fan lay. The Frenchman's goal was celebrated wildly throughout the bar and indeed the Spanish capital, with the result meaning Barcelona's lead over Real Madrid is now just two points.

The Catalans still have their destiny in their own hands although their grip on the La Liga trophy has loosened. However the caveat of course to the jubilant Madrid reactions following the result at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, is one of great significance; Los Blancos still have to visit Seville themselves in three weeks time.

You can be sure that after an entente cordiale on Saturday night, hostilities between Sevilla and Real Madrid will resume with a vengeance on 2nd May.