Madrid Autonomous Community

Zinedine Zidane said 'yes' to a Real Madrid return, and in the process banished the spectre of José Mourinho, who a jittery Florentino Pérez had been toying with bringing back...

VAR or no VAR, that is the question...? Actually it's not a question anymore as tonight, for the first time in the Champions League, as the competition reaches the Round of 16 stage, we´ll see the debut of the VAR system.

I like the Madrid derby. To some degree, more than the Clásico, perhaps because that game has become so global that it doesn't really feel like it's mine.

'Athletic, Athletic, club de limpia tradición...' That was the first anthem I knew of the old and beloved Athletic Club, 'world football's unique case', as L'Équipe once wrote.

Maybe it coincides with reading Sergio del Molino's latest book, ‘Lugares fuera de sitio’ (Out of place locations) that inspired me with today's headline.

Alfredo Relaño previews a weekend crowned by Sunday's Copa Liberadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors which will be played here in Madrid.