Xerez stun Sevilla in the Sanchez Pizjuan: Time up for Manolo Jimenez?

Sevilla 1 - 1 Xerez
(1-0) 63' Kanoute (p), (1-1) 92' Gioda

Xerez sprung one of the surprises of the season as they scored a last minute goal to cancel out Frederic Kanoutes earlier penalty. They may well be suffering from a chronic bout of injuries, but there's no hiding the fact that Sevilla fell desparately short tonight. Without Luis Fabiano, Jesus Navas and Diego Capel they were already lacking creativity upfront, but when Diego Perotti pulled up with a muscle strain, the situacion was critical. He was closely followed by midfield warrior Dider Zokora and suddenly it looked decidely bleak for a team striving to make the final Champions League place.

Right now that looks like a big ask for a side that is completely bereft of confidence. Alvaro Negredo is struggling badly, a slight worry for Del Bosque as the World Cup looms. The back four is uncharacteristically porous. Errors are even creeping into the previously impenetrable Andrés Palop. At the other end of the spectrum, Xerez showed tremendous fighting spirit to grab a point from a ground where no-one gave them a chance. Leandro Gioda got them the equaliser at the death after a scramble in the area, but truth be told, they gave Palop a fright on more than one occasion during the match, and their continuing fight for survival is really beginning to gather pace. Carlos Calvo revolutionised his team when he came on, and don't be surprised if this nippy lad from Madrid is whisked off if and when Xerez drop down a level. Another man on the move in the near future could well be Manolo Jimenez. The fans gave him a hard time after the defeat to CSKA Moscow, so the pressure must now be at boiling point. A paltry draw at home against the leagues whipping boys will not go down well. And president Jose Maria Del Nido is not a man to pussyfoot around a tough decision.

Sporting Gijon 2 - 1 Deportivo La Coruña

(1-0) 30' Bilic, (1-1) 65' Adrian, (2-1) 94' Diego Castro (p)

Messi or Maradona? Pointless debate.

With three electric performances and eight goals against Valencia, Stuttgart and Real Zaragoza, debate is rife in Spain about whether Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer ever? He's certainly the best I've ever witnessed, but Diego Maradona, Pele and Johann Cruyff were before my time. I've seen videos of Maradona, and THAT goal against England in Mexico '86. And there's that brilliant photo of 'El Pelusa' on the ball, with six defenders around him, all looking suitably petrified. But I believe to judge the greatness of a footballer like Maradona or Pele, you have to have been a fan during his time. Pedro has come out saying Messi is far better than Maradona was, but Pedro was only born the year after Maradona lifted the World Cup. What's certain is that they both represent all that is beautiful about football; past and present. Technique, touch, vision, audacity and an ability to create something out of absolutely nothing. Besides, they played in different eras, under different conditions and against different teams. Instead of worrying if Messi is better or worse than Maradona, I'm going to savour everything this little genius has to offer.

Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Osasuna: Jurado stunner grabs win for ten men Atleti

La Liga Monday didn't let me down. Another dull match, this time between Atletico Madrid and Osasuna, that was settled by a moment of magic from the talented Jurado. The first hour could be described at best as a bit of friendly sparring between the two sides, with no real moment of danger from either side. Then on the hour mark, Simao received his second yellow for a high challenge on Azpilicueta and you would be forgiven for thinking that would be Osasunas signal to go for the kill. But bar a couple of good chances which produced crucial saves from David De Gea, Osasuna wilted. And they were punished by a moment of supreme skill by Jurado who received the ball on the edge of the box with ten minutes left, took a touch and unleashed a devilish, curling effort which gave Ricardo no chance. A rare moment of class on another sluggish monday night.

Messi and Higuain bag hattricks as Madrid and Barca triumph (Highlights)

Barcelona 3 - 0 Valencia

(1-0) 56' Messi, (2-0) 81' Messi, (3-0) 82' Messi

Truly great players show up when their team most needs them. Not my words, the words of Marcas Pablo Egea. But how right he is. Lionel Messi proved to the world why he was named World Player of the Year last season, with a hat-trick that oozed class and saved his sides blushes against a battling Valencia. Barcelona had struggled badly in the first half, with David Silva and Pablo Hernandez causing them all sort of problems on the break, and Dealbert majestic in defence. But Barca came out in the second half a different side, lead by that little magician Lionel Messi. His first was unmistakably Messi; waltzing effortlessly past four defenders and stroking the ball nonchantly past Cesar. His second, was equally as pleasing on the eye; cutting in from the right to unleash a devilish left foot curler which crept inside the post. His coupe-de-grace arrived only seconds later as the lively Thierry Henry  released the Argentinian who produced a gorgeous dinked shot, with Cesar beaten all ends up. You won't see a finer hattrick all year. Valencia werent helped by an injury to David Albelda early in the second half, who had reduced Xavi and Iniesta to meer bystanders in the first 45 minutes, or by a stuttering Zigic who spurned a glorious chances to level the scores at 1-0. The sending off of Maduro simply sealed their fate. Barca are back in business.

 

Real Valladolid 1 - 4 Real Madrid

(0-1) 28' Cristiano Ronaldo, (0-2) 45' Higuain, (0-3) 52' Higuain, (1-3) 58' Albiol (o.g), (1-4) 65' Higuain

Real Madrid put their European misery to one side in La Zorilla as they overcame some rough treatment from Real Valladolid to record a win which keeps them at the summit of La Liga. Cristiano fired in a trademark missile of a freekick to put Madrid in the driving seat, although trademark would do the Portuguese winger a huge injustice. What you come to expect from him, few can replicate. Then it was underfire striker Gonzalo Higuain who took over with a sharp hattrick of his own, which has served to banish those dark memories of last week. There will still be those who question his ability on the biggest stage, but there is no doubting his class infront of goal, whoever the opponent. Mejuto Gonzalez added his name to a worryingly growing list of abject refereeing performances of late, missing a blatant stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo by Nivaldo which deserved two reds, and a handball from Sergio Ramos early in the second half that could have signalled his dismissal and a penalty for Valladolid. Raul Albiol scored an unfortunate own goal after the hour mark, but any doubts were lifted by Higuains third and final strike. Top of the league and in no mood to let the only competition they're left in slip.

Villarreal 2 - 0 Xerez

(1-0) 32' Llorente, (2-0) 90' Escudero

Mindnumbing match that saw Villarreal keep themselves in the European hunt and which sees Xerez even closer to La Segunda. The Yellow Submarine controlled the match from start to finish, with the 2-0 scoreline hardly doing justice to their total domination over a resigned Xerez. An eleven point gap has now opened up between Xerez and the team just above the relegation zone, Real Zaragoza, and every defeat is an extra nail in their first division coffin. It seems to have got to the stage where their better players, Momo being a prime example, take it for granted that they'll be snapped up by some Liga club next year, so with their personal topflight survival guaranteed, motivation to save that of their club dwindles. A sad state of affairs. Nestor Gorosito needs to stick with those who put their heart and soul into every minute of every match; the Sidi Keitas and Mario Bermejos of this world. So Villarreal continue their upward march, with Juan Carlos Garrido proving a shrewd managerial signing. Joseba Llorentes first was pure predator, whilst Escuderos last gasp second, rewarded those who had stayed it out.

Tenerife 4 - 1 Espanyol

(1-0) 20' Richi, (2-0) 49' Nino, (2-1) 70' Verdu, (3-1) 82' Alfaro, (4-1) 90' Nino

Racing Santander 0 - 0 Real Zaragoza

Almeria 1 - 0 Malaga

(1-0) 59' Soriano

La Liga Saturday: Sevilla and Depor share the points in race for Europe (Highlights)

Sevilla 1 - 1 Deportivo La Coruña

(1-0) 21' Fazio, (1-1) 24' Adrian

Energetic match played out at the Sanchez Pizjuan which saw the points shared between Sevilla and Depor. Plenty of attacking verve displayed from both sides, but scoring chances were at a premium as both sets of defences showed commendable organisation. Fazio headed Sevilla into a 21st minute lead from Perottis free-kick, with Aranzubia unable to keep it out with his outstretched glove. But Depor got back into the match immediately as lively striker Adrian nipped infront of his marker to convert Guardados cross from close range. A moment of controversy marked the end of the first half as Aranzubia diverted Jesus Navas' shot wide from outside the area, with the ball appearing to striker the keepers arm. Difficult decision for the ref, but Depor could have had no complaints had he shown red to the keeper. Luis Fabiano came on in the second half and struck the crossbar with a header, but with Depors defence in resolute mood there were to be no more goals, and both sides stay in the hunt for that final Champions League spot.

La Liga Sunday: Atletico Madrid saved by last gasp Ibra

Real Zaragoza 1 - 1 Atlético Madrid

(1-0) 5' Jarosik, (1-1) 92' Ibra

Real Zaragoza were left to rue their inability to sink ten men Atlético as they succumbed to a last gasp leveller from substitute Ibra. 'Los Maños' were hardly spectacular, but they had the better of the chances as Atlético Madrid failed to live up to the lofty expectation their recent form has created. Teixeira Vitienes delivered a refereeing performance of such inaptitute, with the faltering reputation of Spanish referees plunging to new depths as he perplexed everyone with some astonishingly poor decisions. Poor Jose Antonio Reyes the principle victim, as the inspired winger was kicked into the ground with Real Zaragoza employing some robust tactics to stem the Atlético tide. Jiri Jarosik had headed Zaragoza into an early lead, and when an utterly fed-up Reyes was sent off for flinging out a stray elbow which connected with Eliseu, the home team looked on course to collect a much-needed three points. That was until late substitute Ibra powered in a header in the dying seconds from Jurados cross, to rescue ten-men Atletico a point. Shame is, the match will be remembered for some inept refereeing which saw the man in black, so horribly out of his depth, show nine yellow cards.

La Liga Monday: David Villa strikes twice to sink Getafe

Valencia 2 - 1 Getafe

(1-0) 39' Villa, (2-0) 52' Villa, (2-1) 76' Manu

Valencia fought their way to a vital three points in their fight for the best of the rest, as David Villa returned to goalscoring ways with a double that ultimately sunk a battling Getafe. 'Chori' Dominguez is starting to show why Unai Emery was so keen to sign him this winter as he put in a fine shift, frequently leaving Cata Diaz in his wake as Valencia mounted a series of attacks in the opening half. Indeed it was the Argentinian who set up David Villas first with a burst of pace that took him past the defender, and an inch-perfect cross which only required a simple touch from Villa. Valencia may not be watertight in defence but if you give them space in attack, they are capable of tearing apart any defence, as David Silva and David Villa showed with the second; Silva stealing the ball and setting lose Villa who produced a delightful chip which left an onrushing Codina grasping at thin air. Alexis was harshly sent off for a second yellow after an hour, and even though Manu pulled one back for Getafe, the locals held on to move four points ahead of Sevilla.

La Liga Saturday: Barcelona steamroll Racing Santander (Highlights)

Barcelona 4 - 0 Racing Santander

(1-0) Iniesta, (2-0) Henry, (3-0) Marquez, (4-0) Thiago

A comfortable, if unspectacular, victory for Barcelona against a Racing Santander side that looked beaten from the start. Barca moved the ball around well in the first half, even without their midfield crafstman Xavi Hernandez, but it was the helping hand of an absent Racing defence that allowed Iniesta to slot his side infront (unbelievably his first goal since that famous strike against Chelsea last season), before two beautifully crafted free-kicks from Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez put them out of sight before half-time. The second half saw Barcelona take the foot off the accelerator, as you would expect with their Champions League tie against Stuttgart coming up this week. Youngster Thiago put the icing on the cake with a deflected goal in the dying minutes, his first in a Barca shirt. Sergio Canales didnt enjoy his first visit to the Camp Nou as a Real Madrid player, as Racing Santander offered very little in a one-sided affair. The pressure is now on Real Madrid as they prepare to host Villarreal tomorrow, with their rivals now 5 points ahead once more.

Champions League: Real Madrid slip up in Lyon (Highlights)

Real Madrid made a faltering start to their Champions League round of 16 tie against Lyon as they fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat. Two statistics tell the story of the match; Real Madrid enjoyed a whopping 66% of possession, yet Lyon managed 18 shots on goal to Reals 16. Xavi Alonso, Granero and Mahamadou Diarra saw plenty of the ball, but as soon as it got up to Kaká, Ronaldo and Higuiaín, Lyon were quick to double up, win the ball back and hit their opponents on the break. Luckily for Real Madrid, Lisandro Lopez didn't have his shooting boots on as he peppered Casillas' goal. Cristiano was full of tricks, including one outrageous backheel that fed Gonzalo Higuain but as with most of Reals attacks, the chance went begging.

Lyons 4-1-4-1 formation stifled Madrid throughout, and the French side came closest to scoring in a tight first half with a fantastic volley from Delgado from outside the area that smacked the post with Iker stranded. But it took Lyon only two minutes to open the scoring in the second half, as Granero carelessly lost possession in the middle, allowing Jean Makoun to surge forward and sent a rasping, swerving shot past the despairing dive of Iker Casillas. The goal should have served to wake Madrid from their slumber, but they failed to create any clear cut chances apart from a viscious Ronaldo snapshot that Hugo Lloris tipped round the post. Plenty of possesion; little bite. All in all a lacklustre evening for Manuel Pellegrini and his men, as they fall to their third straight loss in the Stade Gerland. They will also have to contend without the suspended Marcelo and Xabi Alonso in the second leg as their march towards a possible final in the Bernabeu is met with fierce French resistance. With all that money spent this summer, they dare not complete a comeback in two weeks time.

Tenerife victory in first La Liga Monday match

Tenerife 1 - 0 Mallorca

(1-0) 13' Nino

Tenerife secured three points at home against Mallorca, in La Ligas first ever monday match. The move to arrange monday night fixtures has been met with a little bemusement among fans in Spain, with saturday and sunday league football so ingrained within spanish society, but 18,000 Tenerife fans responded by almost filling the Heliodoro, and there was extra colour and vibrancy within the stands with the island celebrating the Carnival this week. They had even more to celebrate when Nino put them ahead after 13 minutes, although his positioning for the goal had more than a whiff of offside about it. Apart from another solid performance from Borja Valero, Mallorca were never at the races, and they missed out on a glorious opportunity to stick themselves in the top four. Tenerife, meanwhile, edge closer to the pack in their fights against relegation.

La Liga Saturday: Cristiano Ronaldo scores double in Xerez

Xerez 0 - 3 Real Madrid
(0-1) 64' Arbeloa, (0-2) 70' Cristiano Ronaldo, (0-3) 71' Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid didn't falter as they successfully added extra pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga. It wasn't pretty and it took them until the 64th minute to make the breakthrough, but once they did they devastated a worn-out Xerez side that had given as good as they had got. The atmosphere inside Chapin was predictably hostile and they got right behind their side as they got stuck into Real Madrids new galacticos. Xerez even had the better of the chances in the first 45 minutes as Momo and Carlos Calvo could easily have out their side infront. But in the second half, they tired badly and after Arbeloa had put Madrid infront with his first goal in Spanish football, finishing off a slick move with a wonderfully calm finish, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká took over. For Cristianos first, Kaká whipped over a lovely ball that Ronaldo bullet-headered into the net. One minute later the Brazilian repeated the trick with a squared pass in the area that Ronaldo tucked away with minimal fuss. Thats what €150 million gets you. The biggest disappointment of the match was Gonzalo Higuaín, who went completely missing and was subbed after 66 minutes. But today was all about Cristiano as a ruthless Madrid leave Jerez with three points in the bag, with an injury-hit Barca under pressure to maintain their five point advantage at Atlético tomorrow.

La Liga Saturday Highlights: Messi leads nine-men Barca to Getafe win

Barcelona 2 - 1 Getafe

(1-0) 5' Messi, (2-0) 66' Xavi, (2-1) 93' Soldado

Lionel Messi ran the show as Barcelona recorded an impressive win against Getafe, having played for more than 65 minutes with ten men. Messi gave Barca the lead with a cracking effort after only 5 minutes and it looked like a rout was on the cards as Barca mounted wave after wave of attacks. But then a moment of madness saw Gerard Pique sent off for a nasty challenge on Rafa, which threw the game wide open. Both teams went for the jugular, as Getafe could finally match their opponents now they were down to ten. But lead by a possessed Lionel Messi, Barca went two up when Xavi struck home just after the hour. Game over. But there was still to be some drama, as Marquez was sent off after felling Kepa, with Roberto Soldado slotting home the penalty. Guardiola didnt want to enter into any debates about the refereeing, but he'll have a few late nights as he ponders how to structure his side for their next match against Atlético Madrid without Pique, Marquez, Alves and Toure Yaya.

Real Madrid conquer Riazor 18 years later

Deportivo La Coruña 1 - 3 Real Madrid
(0-1) 13' Granero, (0-2) 40' Benzema (1-2) 86' Riki (p), (1-3) 91' Benzema

The last time they beat Depor in the Riazor, Raul was still working his way through the youth set-up at Atlético. Tonight Real Madrid put an end to 18 years of hurt in Galicia, and all without the main man, Cristiano Ronaldo. A two-match sanction robbed them of the man from Madeira, and an injury crisis robbed them of many more, but they put Deportivo La Coruña to bed with a scintillating first-half display which yielded goals from Granero and Karim Benzema. The Frenchmans goal was all down to a moment of cold-blooded genius from Guti, who was through on goal but decided to back-heel the ball back to Benzema who didnt fail from the middle of the area. The second half saw Madrid take their foot of the gas, and even though Riki converted from the spot after a dubious trip from Sergio Ramos, Benzema sealed the deal in stoppage time after a neat cutback from Arbeloa. The pressure was really on after Barca had beaten Sporting earlier, but Real Madrid had all the answers and proved they can do it without their €96 million man.

Cristiano Ronaldo travels to Coruña

The Cristiano Ronaldo saga has been running all week in the Spanish press; Should he really have been banned for two matches? Did he really mean to elbow Mtiliga in the face? Was it worse than what Messi did against Sevilla when Marc Valiente bear-hugged him off the ball? First he was banned for two matches, then Real Madrid took the case to the RFEF Court of Appeal. The case was thrown out, and as we all tucked ourselves into bed last night, Cristiano was planning his lonely weekend in Madrid, and writing out a cheque for his astronomical €600 fine.

Yet we woke up this morning to pictures of a Riazor-bound Ronaldo stepping onto the Real Madrid private jet. Did Ronaldo volunteer to cheer his teammates on from the stands? Was Paris Hilton in Galicia for the weekend? No, Real Madrid have taken the case even further and appealed to the Spanish Committee of Sporting Discipline.

In a move of desparate proportions, Real Madrid are using every measure available to get the Portuguese star on the pitch come saturday night. In fairness, they're well within their rights to resort to these legal loopholes, especially with an injury crisis which has robbed them of Garay, Lass, Higuaín, Van der Vaart, Gago and Diarra for the match against Depor. But it gets worse, if what has been reported is to be believed. In a show of utter disrespect towards Malaga and Patrick Mtiliga, Real Madrid have even asked the RFEF to send a doctor to examine the players nose. To see if it really is broken. Unbelievable.

Their reaction to the whole affair is winning them, and Cristiano, few friends, not that they'll mind of course. More damaging will be the damning verdict sent out to the rest of the squad: we havn't got much of a chance without Ronny. It might even be that in lengthening the process, Ronaldo misses out on later fixtures such as those against Valencia and Barca. It would be exactly what they deserve.

Thierry Henry: The end of a legend?

Ever since his big-money move from Arsenal to Barcelona, Thierry Henry has flattered to deceive. There have been flashes of the old Thierry in his three seasons at the Camp Nou, but nothing sustained, which for followers of Spanish football is a huge pity. In his days under Arsene Wenger, Thierry was utterly sublime and is without a doubt one of the finest strikers The Premiership has ever seen. Many criticised Wenger for letting his compatriot leave, but if anything the managers foresight has been proved spot on.

Reasons for Henrys decline could well be personal; a divorce from his wife and a legal struggle for custody of his daughter. They could be physical; he's no spring chicken and has lost a yard of that famous pace. When you watch him now, he struggles to find space that used to come so naturally. The technique is still there, but the sharpness has gone. He blames an ongoing injury for his latest run of poor form, but whatever has been holding him back, he may well find himself on the bench for some time as his succesor Pedro goes from strength to strength. The World Cup will be 'Titis' swansong before he makes a decision on his future, with a move to the US Major League or Saudi Arabia most likely: the guaranteed golden twilight for the modern day retiring star. Have we seen the last of Thierry the Great?

Cristiano Ronaldo Red Card: Deserved?

Cristiano Ronaldo recieved his marching orders for the second time in a Real Madrid shirt this weekend for a forearm smash (I'm not convinced it was the elbow that connected) on Patrick Mtiliga of Málaga; but was it deserved? I feel a degree of sympathy for Cristiano, but in my humble opinion he had to go. The winger must be sick of defenders grabbing chunks of his shirt, in a  attempt to halt his rapid progress , but he needs to learn to not take the law into his own hands and allow the referees to do their job.

Easier said than done though with some of crazy decisions they band around. It would have been wise of Cristiano to have waited for the man in black to blow his trusty whistle and show a yellow card to the defender; not swing his arms wildly behind him, as any contact could be construed, as it was in this case, as gross misconduct worthy of a red card. A battered and bruised Mtiliga has admirably come out in defence of Ronaldo, stating he's confident CR9 didnt mean to break his nose, simply escape his attentions. Yet he still claims a red card was probably fair. Agree? Disagree?

La Liga Sunday: Cristiano Ronaldo - The good, the bad and the ugly

Real Madrid 2 - 0 Malaga

(1-0) 35' Cristiano Ronaldo, (2-0) 39' Cristiano Ronaldo

It takes them a while to get going, during which they are normally indebted to Casillas and poor finishing from their opponents, but it only takes a couple of flashes of excellence to get Real Madrid out of jail and on the road to three points. Today it was Cristiano Ronaldo who took on the responsibility and cracked in two goals to put Malaga out of sight. Yet his brilliance sometimes comes at a cost, and todays was an disgraceful elbow in the face of Mtiliga which earned him a red card and sees him banned from next weeks tricky match against Deportivo. The Galaticos are still not gelling as a unit (bar that sweet move for the first goal!), but as long as they can keep on Barcas tail, when the machine finally clicks they could certainly mount a serious challenge for the league. Trouble for Pelligrini is that it's taking far too long. Next weeks match at the Riazor will be pivotal.

READ ON FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL TONIGHTS LA LIGA MATCHES

Would Guardiola really go to Man United?

As Barcelona streched their lead to five points over their bitter rivals from Madrid with a sparkling second half display against Sevilla, there was still something bugging president Joan Laporta as he made his post-match interviews. The increasing doubt surrounding Pep Guardiolas future at the club and the inevitable questions from reporters about the subject. Laporta did well to undermine the issue, but the wait is making fans and players anxious. Pep will be fully aware of this, so if he was 100% certain about his future at the Catalan club, surely he would have signed an extension already?

News has now sprung up about Manchester United contacting his agent Jose Maria Orobitg, which will only serve to add to the unease that is beginning to creep into the Camp Nou. But would Pep really make the move to Manchester United? Sir Alex Ferguson certainly sees the Catalan as his ideal replacement, once he steps down from the Old Trafford hotseat (expected to be in 2011/2012), and the English club are believed to want to tie Guardiola to a pre-contract agreement which would see him play a part in shaping the future of the Red Devils from next season onwards. La Liga has never been the place to create a legacy, with managers rarely lasting more than five years at the same club, unlike English football which seems to have slightly more patience with managers when things go pearshaped, at least in comparison to their continental counterparts. Just look at Wenger at Arsenal who hasn't won a trophy in four years. Is this playing on Guardiolas mind?

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As a player he was eager to move abroad once his time with Barca came to a close, moving to Italy (Roma and Brescia), Qatar and Mexico towards the end of his glittering playing career. That said, his time in Italy was relatively unsuccesful and was even tainted by controversy; testing positive for nandrolone, although later cleared on appeal. He also turned down the chance to play for Man United on more than one occasion, so why not once more as manager? Personally, I just cannot see him moving away from Barcelona any time soon. He has close bonds with several players in the squad who, like himself, were raised in 'La Masia' and he would have to adapt to a completely new footballing philosophy if he made the move to Old Trafford, a club that even appears to be entering into severe financial troubles. He may not ever be able to replicate the six trophies that last year brought, but if he can win La Liga and the Champions League regularly, no-one will be complaining. The man is Barcelona born and bred, and when Laportas easter deadline comes, expect Pep to sign on the dotted line once more.

Real Madrids Higuaín and Van der Vaart out for three weeks

Real Madrid have been rocked by the news that red-hot striker Gonzalo Higuaín has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a tear in his left thigh, meaning he will miss the matches against Athletic Bilbao, Málaga and Deportivo La Coruña. With 11 league goals to his name already this season, the Argentine has been vital in Madrids pursuit of Barcelona, and whilst they'll certainly be blunted without his goalthreat, it's his lung-bursting work-rate ín Madrids first line of defence that will be most notably missed. Van Nistelrooy, Raul and Benzema are all waiting in the wings, ready to take over, so Real will not be short of firepower, at least in theory. Van Nistlerooy is yet to make a serious recovery from his most recent injury, Raul isnt getting any younger and Benzema has endured an indifferent start to his Madrid career.

Rafael Van der Vaart and Xabi Alonso were also injured during the snow-hit Mallorca match and whilst Alonsos injury isn't expected to rule him out for too long, Van der Vaart will join Higuain in the treatment room for the next three weeks; a sad end to his rich vein of form which had seen him cement a place in Madrids starting line-up. An injury crisis is beginning to descend upon Pelligrinis side, and the strength of their squad will be severely tested in the weeks to come. Kaká, Gago and Granero will need to be on top of their game in Madrids engine room, whilst Ronaldos goals will be required more than ever. I would still expect them to get past Málaga, but Athletic Bilbao and Depor away (they havn't won in the Riazor for 17 years) will be tough assignments.

La Liga Photo of the Day: Snow joke for Atletico Madrid

Something tells me they´ll try harder against Recreativo in the second leg.....