Alfredo Relaño looks back on Real Madrid's latest defeat, to Alavés, another blow for Julen Lopetegui's team who have not scored in four matches.

AS Editor Alfredo Relaño analyses a hard-fought Madrid derby, and the effect Leo Messi had on the Barcelona - Athletic match, after starting on the bench.

It was a happy night at the Bernabéu, crowned with a resounding 3-0 result, where Mariano scored the final goal that was the icing on the cake.

Madrid has two fiestas, San Isidro and the Paloma. In the 1950s and 1960s there was another, the final of the Copa del Rey: always played here, and almost always with Athletic.

The final whistle blew and the players hugged each other, satisfied with their night's work and safe in the knowledge they had done all that could be asked of them...

San Mamés will open its gates to welcome Madrid, amounting to an evening of excitement and emotion. For time immemorial nothing has stoked up San Mamés quite like Real Madrid coming to town.

Saturday's game in Valladolid has become a prickly matter for LaLiga right at a time when their aspirations are to take their product overseas in attempt to increase international awareness for the domestic game

Last night's clash at Riazor began with disappointing news: Andrés Iniesta was not in Barcelona's starting line-up.