After a roller-coaster group stage Karim Benzema guided Real Madrid into the last 16 with LaLiga's other representatives Barcelona, Atlético and Sevilla.

Scoring goals breeds confidence and so when the goals dry up, the team is weakened. That was the root of Real Madrid's problems against Shakhtar, writes Alfredo Relaño.

Alfredo Relaño reacts to Real Madrid's home LaLiga defeat to Alavés on Saturday - a result that leaves them six points off top spot.

Real Madrid's win over Inter certainly makes the group table easier reading and also covers some of the cracks following the home defeat to Shakhtar.

Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are both in action tonight in the Champions League, against Lokomotiv and Inter Milan respectively.