We reach the halfway point of the season with Barça as winter champions on goal difference (28-26), level on 40 points with Real Madrid.

This time we were obliged to follow the Club World Cup from a distance and maybe even with an added degree of indifference

With so little currently separating the sides at the top of LaLiga, the fact that this circumstance has come about just a year after VAR's introduction...

Diego Martínez is at the helm at recently promoted Granada, who have no glittering stars and catch the eye with their commitment and togetherness.